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LIBRARY 

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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/florentinesplayOOsamurich 


Copyright   1903,  1904,  by 
MAURICE    V.    SAMUELS 

ENTERED    AT    STATIONERS*    HALL,    LONDON 

All  rights  reserved 
(Printed  in  the   United  States) 


TO  MY  PARENTS 


I 


N  those  dark  periods  of  self-distrust, 

When  Inspiration,  sleeping,  seems  away, 
And  Night  refuses  promise  of  the  Day, 
If  then  we  toil,  'tis  only  that  we  must, 
And  not  because  we  know  that  All  is  just, 
Or  that  the  struggling  Self  is  more  than  clay, 
Ill-fitted  and  faint-hearted  for  the  fray 
Which  offers,  tho'  we  conquer,  but  Life's  crust. 
What  then  recalls  the  courage  that  we  miss  ? 
What  holds  our  Faith  alive  and  gives  us  power 

To  trample  thicket  and  to  wing  abyss  ? 
'Tis  that  eternal,  never  wasting  dower : 

The  trust  of  those  who  love  us.     It  is  this 
That  turns  our  empty  time  to  fruitful  hour. 

October  3^  igo^ 


CHARACTERS 


Benvenuto  Cellini At  Forty-Jive 

CosiMO  De  Medici Duke  of  Florence 

Marsilio  Giotto CellinVs  Apprentice 

Baccio  Bandinello A  Rival  of  Cellini 

Alfonso  Da  Trotti  .  .  ,  A  Gentleman  of  Florence 
Pier  Francesco  Riccio  .  .  Major  Domo  to  the  Duke 
GiovAN  Battista    ] 

JACOPO  Pontormo  \  .  .  Artists^  friends  of  Cellini 
Lelio  Torello        J 

VlTTORlO Bargello  of  Florence 

The  Duchess  of  Florence  .  Wife  of  Cosimo  D^ Medici 
Lady  Leonora  Rucellai    .     Her  Friend  and  Cosimo's 

Ward 

Federiga     .     .     , CellinVs  Model 

A  Soldier 

Time  of  Play,  1545 

Place:  Florence 


SYNOPSIS 


ACT  I 


Scene  I. — Dining-hall  in   the  house   of  Pontormo,  the 
painter.     {Afternoon . ) 

Scene  II. — Garden  of  Palace  of  Duke  Cosimo.      {Eve- 
ning of  the  same  day.) 

ACT  II 

Scene  I. —  Workshop   and   Studio   of  Cellini.     {A  few 
days  later.) 

Scene  II. — A  Room  in  the  Palace.     {Ten  minutes  after- 
ward.) 

ACT  III 
Another  Room  in  the  Palace,     {Five  weeks  have  elapsed.) 


ACT  I 


ScENK  I. — Dining-hall  in  the  house  of  JACOPO 
PoNTORMO,  a  Painter,  in  Florence,  It  is 
about  four  in  the  afternoon.  In  gay  attire^ 
all  (PoNTORMO  and  his  guests)  are  seated 
about  a  table.  The  repast  completed,  a  ser- 
vant is  kept  busy  refilling  glasses. 

Discovered :  Jacopo  Pontormo,  Giovan  Bat- 
TISTA,  young  and  light-hearted.  AxFONSO 
Da  Trotti,  a  gallant  of  sixty.  I^KLio  To- 
RBLivO,  the  husband  of  an  intellectual  woman, 
Baccio  Bandinello,  cold  and  precise,  (At 
table  drinking,  and  talking  boisterously, ) 


Da  Trotti  {rising  and  keeping  his  feet  with  som^ 

difficulty,  in  heroic  attitude) 
Friends,  liken  me  unto  an  argosy, 
Still  stanch  and  daring,  tho'  I  rock  and  reel 
In  this  mad  tumult  of  a  reddened  sea. 

T0RE1.1.0 
Da  Trotti  is  a  poet! 

Battista 
In  his  cups! 


12 THE  FLORENTINES      

Da  Trotti 
Behold  me  grappled  by  a  pirate  crew, 
Who  would  extort  my  most  unwilling  story! 

Oh,  tell  your  tale  curtailed  !     Who  is  the  lady  ? 

BANDINEI.I.O 

Aye,  we  would  toast  her,  beauty  or  no  beauty. 

Da  Trotti 
Your  interruptions  are  the  wintry  blasts, 
Too  sudden  and  tempestuous  for  welcome. 
I  sail  too  boldly,  too  much  canvas  spread, 
For  me  to  reach  a  port — 

[In  gesticulating,  he  pushes  his  chair  from 
its  place  y  and  pauses  ^  confused, 

BattisTA  (^forcing  him  into  the  chair') 
Or  seat  in  safety  ! 

Bandinello  {rising) 
Could  I  forego  my  common  sense  for  didlion, 
I  would  declare  that  you  have  navigated 
Full  quite  as  many  oceans,  and  have  crossed 
Not  one  less  bar  than  some  gay  gondola, 


THE  FI^ORENTINES  13 

Painted  and  gilded,  fragile  as  a  leaf, 
Has, in  the  streets  of  Venice.  {Scornfidly)  Argosy! 

[He  sits  down. 
Da  Trotti  {angrily) 
You,  sir,  resemble  more  some  fisher's  craft, 
Filled  high  with  cold   and  clammy  and  dead 
things. 

PONTORNO 

Come,  come,  our  cups  await! 

Battista 

My  throat's  a  furrow 
That,  parched    and    aching,  craves    refreshing 
draught. 

Da  Trotti 
Well,  then,  your  ears!     Since  each  has  told  his 

story 
Of  rare  good  fortune  found  'mid  gracious  ladies, 
Shall  I  prove  recreant  to  Aphrodite, 
Deny  that  I  am  young  enough  for  favors  ? 

BANDINE1.1.0 
If  you  would  have  us  all  believe.  Da  Trotti, 
Your  ripened  years  can  move  soft  hearts  to  love 
Rather  than  to  derision,  specify! 


14 THE   FLORENTINES 

Da  Trotti 
Her  name!     Why,  gentlemen,  there* s  more  than 

one! 
So  many  truly  that  I  scarce  recall 
Which  was  the  last  to  turn  sweet  glance  upon 
me. 

T0RELI.0  {laughing) 
A  connoisseur  who  knows  not  gems  apart, 
Although  he  boasts  so  goodly  a  colledlion. 

BANDiNEiyi.0   {coldly') 
'Tis  but  evasion.     Give  the  lady's  name! 

Da  Trotti  {defiantly) 
Well,  'twas  Cassandra  Mantuano,  friends! 

BANDINKLI.0    {scornfully) 
Da  Trotti  won  Cassandra  Mantuano! 

Da  Trotti  {angrily) 
Believe  it  as  you  will.     I  know  the  truth. 

\Soine  confusion  outside.  Enter  Cki<i*ini 
and  Marsilio,  i,.  2.  E.  All  show 
pleasure  but  Bandinei*i*o. 


THE  FLORENTINES  15 

CK1.LINI 
Count  it  rare  fortune  that  you  now  behold  me! 

[Marsii<io  mingles  with  others^  who  have 
risen  and  surround  them, 
T0RKI.1.0 
Good  Benvenuto,  was  she  dark  or  fair  ? 

CKI.1.INI 
Dark,  being  bronze!     That  impatient  Duke,  you 

see. 
Was  so  enamored  of  a  vase  I  cast 
For  his  good  Duchess  that  he  kept  me  prisoner — 
Yes,  held  me    thus  (^grasping  his  own  doublet^ 

until  I  gave  my  promise 
That  I  would  work  to-morrow  on  its  mate. 

[Sinking  into  a  chair. 
Oh!     What  a  thing  it  is  to  be  an  artist ! 
(  Very  seriously)  Do  you  know,  friends,  I  seldom 
get  my  sleep! 

PONTORMO 

Forget  your  labors.     Try  some  warm  Chianti! 

[Cki.i<ini  drinks. 
Ha!     Good!    Your  friend,  Marsilio!    Most  wel- 
come. 


i6 THE   FLORENTINES 

Da  Trotti 
Now  here's  a  man  who  cannot  match  one  summer 
'Gainst  two  of  mine — a  very  young  man,  this! 

Battista 
Say  three,  Da  Trotti,  and  be  nearer  truth. 

Da  Trotti 
Well,  then,  smiles  greeted  me  ere  you  were  bom! 
So  be  it!     I  suppose  'tis  safe  to  say 
You  credit  his  all  inexperienced  youth 
With  triumphs  you  deny  maturity. 
Again,  so  be  it!     What  you  do  not  know 
You  lack  the  wit  to  know  you  do  not  know. 

Battista  (^addressing  Marsilio) 
You  come  in  time  to  make  your  contribution, 
So  that,  according  to  the  splendid  custom 
Of  this  Society  of  Mirth  Provokers, 
We  may  congratulate  a  fellow  member 
And  incidentally  regale  our  ears. 

MARSII.IO 

What  is  it  you  require  ?     Call  it  done. 

Cei<lini 
These  rascals,  whom  the  foolish  folk  of  Florence 

[Pointing  to  each. 


THE    FLORENTINES 17 

Call  artists,  men  of  letters — and  poor  wits — 

Make  it  a  rule,  my  dear  Marsilio, 

At  these  reunions,  in  the  name  of  friendship, 

To  tell  what  prett}^  feat  of  archery 

With  Cupid's  arrow  they  have  last  achieved. 

'Tis  sad  we  come  so  late! 

Da  Trotti 

In  other  words, 
It  is  our  pleasing  method  to  describe 
The  fair  ones  who  have  yielded  to  our  spells 
And  thus  to  share  delight. 

[Moves  U7isteadily, 

Marsilio  {coldly) 

'Tis  new  to  me, 
And  I  shall  ask  permission  to  be  silent. 

CElyLINI 

These  are  my  friends.     And  this  requirement 

Is  quite  a  simple  one,  and  very  just. 

Shall  Pleasure  have  his  fill,  and  then  deny 

Companionship  the  mere  description  of  it  ? 

MarsiHo,  this  is  no  case  for  scruple  ! 

I  would  not  blame  you  for  such  reticence 


i8 THE   FLORENTINES  

If  friends  should  ask  the  secret  of  some  art 
To  bring  the  lustre  to  a  deadened  stone, 
Or  of  original  sword-pass  for  defense, 
Or  of  ingenious  method  to  cast  metal — 

[  Turning  to  others. 
And,  by  the  way,  Cellini's  not  a  goldsmith — 
However  famed  the  balance  of  his  days — 
Who  shrinks  from  the  high  labor  of  the  sculptor! 

PONTORMO  {cordially') 
Why  should  you  not,  Cellini,  match  your  skill 
'Gainst  Michael  Angelo's? 

Battista 

Your  blood  is  warmer 
[  With  wave  for  a  toast. 
And  your  imagination — ^well — Cellini ! 

{They  drink,     Bandinki.i<o  merely  pre- 
tends to  do  so. 
Da  Trotti  {pointing  to  Marsii.io,  who  sits 
moodily  apart) 
The  youth!    I'll  wager  that  he  has  been  looking 
Too  long  into  the  depths  of  violet  eyes  {as  if  see- 
ing such  in  the  air  before  hini). 


THE   FLORENTINES 19 

Or  blue,  or  gray,  or  brown — they're  much  alike ! — 
Too  long,  I  say,  for — what  was  it  I  meant  ? 
Mine  host,  Pontormo,  'tis  a  heady  wine — 

[Supporting  himself  by  hand  on  chair. 
Da  Trotti,  now  you  have  your  wits  again! 
Young  man,  stand  up,  and  with  great  eloquence 
Tell  us — ^well,  tell  of  your  last  love  affair  ! 

[Sinks  into  chair, 
Battista 
Or  we'll  expel  you  from  our  company — 
The  gayest  wits,  the  lightest  hearts  of  Florence. 
[Cordial  endorsement  of  sentiment, 

CKi^iyiNi  (modestly) 
And  some  there  are  who  are  not  without  fame. 

[All  laugh  and  nod  approvingly,    except 
BANDINKI.1.0. 
Praise  me  not  overmuch.   (  Very  seriously')  Heaven 
aids  me. 

Pontormo. 
Which  proves  the  Lord  is  very  merciful 
To  confessed  sinners,  gallant  Benvenuto! 


20  THE   FLORENTINES 

Da  Trotti  {with  a  sweeping  gesture) 
I  am  the  only  man  in  this  assemblage 
Who  can  remember  what  he  wants!     The  story! 

ToRKLivO  {turning  to  Marsii,io) 
Aye,  who  is  she?     And  when   and  where   did 

you 
Encounter  her  ?     And  is  she  a  brunette, 
Or  has  she  eyes  like  our  ItaUan  sky  ? 
And  is  her  hair  as  tawny  as  the  lion's 
The  King  of  Portugal  sends  to  the  Pope  ? 

[M ARSILIO  rises  protestingly, 

BANDINKLI.O  {rising  and  waving  Marsiwo 
down) 
Pray  take  your  seat,  Marsilio,  and  I 
Who  have  done  honor  to  my  latest  triumph 
Shall  furnish  you  criteria  of  beauty 
Before  you  venture  to  portray  her.     Here ! 

[Pompously  displaying  manuscript. 
Behold  !     Notes  of  Firenzuola's  lecture 
On  Female  Beauty,  given  at  a  gathering 
Of  wives  and  daughters  of  learned  Florentines. 
[All  manifest  incredulity. 


or  v.,^g     r 


THE   FTmEJOa^-ES 


21 


ToRKIvLO 

I  have  no  doubt  my  wife  was  there.     But  who 
Gave  memoranda  to  cold  Bandinello  ? 

BANDINKLIvO 

Bandinello! 

TORKlvIyO 

Why,  you  cannot  mean — 
You  heard  a  lecture  meant  for  ladies  only  ? 

BANDINKI.I.O 

Just  so  !     I  thought  it  might  prove  interesting. 
I  borrowed  clothes  from  Pantasilea — 

[CKi^iyiNi  siaris  angrily. 
( Tauntingly)    Nay,    nay,  Cellini !       There    are 

others  favored  ! 
And  then  some  rouge,  some  paste,  a  dainty  per- 
fume, 
Affedled  walk,  a  manner  supercilious, 
A  mood  of  silence — and  I  heard  the  ledlure  ! 

\Much  merriment, 
Battista 
Firenzuola  !     That  great  theorist  \ 
Methinks  I  could  deliver  such  a  discourse. 


22 THE   FLORENTINES 

Bandinsi,i,o 
Firenzuola  said — 

ToR^i,i,o 

How  long  is  it  ? 

Battista 
Epitomize  ! 

Da  Trotti 
We  want  Marsilio^s  tale  ! 
Bandinki.i<o  {annoyed  by  interruptions ^  and  re- 
ferring to  memorandum) 
The  hair — thick,  long,  and  silky.     Skin — 

ToRKivi:.o 

Peach-like! 
Bandinki.i<o 
No  ;  clear  and  light,  but  not  dead  white.      The 

eyebrows — 
Dark  and  silky,  middle  strongly  marked — 

Cei^WNI  (^authoritatively) 
But  shading  off — 

Bandinki^LO  (^coldly) 

Yes,  toward  the  ears  and  nose. 
The  whites  o'  the  eyes  just  faintly  tinged  with 
blue. 


THE   FLORENTINES  23 

Battista 
The  eyes  themselves — not  the  protruding  kind  ? 

BANDINKlylvO 

Large,  full,  well-formed;  the  color — each  his  taste! 
The  lids— 

Da  Trotti 
What  of  the  lids  ?     I  like  the  languid  sort. 

BANDINEI^IyO 

White  save  for  red  veins  most  invisible — 
The  hollow  round  the  eye — 

ToRKivi.0 

Alas  !  the  morning  ! 

BANDINKIvI.0 

Should  show  the  color  of  the  cheek.     The  ears 
With  edge  of  a  transparent  ruddiness — 

Da  Trotti 
Like  pomegranates — 

ToRKLIvO 

Hush,  old  reprobate  ! 

Da  Trotti 
You  speak  of  years  as  if  they  checked  experience! 


24  THE    FLORENTINES 

BandinkIvLO  {^emphatically) 
Firenzuola  said  the  nose — 

Battista 

Is  Greek ! 

CEI.I.INI  {thoughtfully) 
But  not  too  straight  for  strength — 

Battista 

Like  mine ! 

Bandineli^o  {rapidly,  to  prevent  interruption) 

Should  recede  gently  and  most  uniformly. 

But  where  the  cartilage  comes  to  an  end 

An  elevation  there  may  be,  if  slight, 

And  yet  the  nose  must  not  be  aquiline. 

The  mouth — 

Da  Trotti  {longingly) 

What   of  the   mouth? — that  glorious  throne  of 

Love ! 

Bandinei<i.o 

Sinfce  sometimes,  by  an  accident,  'tis  open. 

Care  must  be  taken  lest  more  than  six  teeth 

Should  be  revealed. 

Da  Trotti  {disgusted) 

Firenzuola  's  stupid ! 


THE   FLORENTINES 25 

Bandinkli<o 
The  lips— 

Da  Trotti 
Ah,  now  give  something  worth  the  hearing  ! 

BANDINKI.LO  {maliciously^ 
Should  never  be  too  thin. 

T0RKI.1.0   {chuckling) 

My  wife  heard  that ! 

Bandinello 
A  dimple — 

CKiyi<iNi  {thoughtfully) 

'Tis  an  adjundl!     Not  essential! 

BANDINKI.1.0 
But  welcome,  says  my  lecturer,  as  is 
The  tempting  smile  that  sometimes  lights  the 

corner — 
The  left — of  a  small  mouth — 

Battista  {dissentingly) 

Why  always  small  ? 

ToRKi*iyO  {as  one  of  experience) 
To  hide,  if  but  a  moment,  ample  tongue. 


26  THE   FLORENTINES 

Bandinki:.i.o  {much  annoyed) 
Who  heard  Firenzuola,  you  or  I  ? 

[Hurries  along. 
The  chin  is  most  important — should  be  round, 
Not  pointed,  not  curved  outward,  ever  growing 
Reddened  a  trifle  as  it  rises.     The  shoulders — 

Da  TroTTI  {rising  to  his  feet) 

What  of  the  shoulders  ?   Hearken!  My  opinion — 

CKI.I.INI 

Is  based  on  mere  conjecture. 

T0RK1.IX) 

And  hence  useless. 

[Pulling  him  down. 

Da  Trotti 

Well,  I  know  things!     But  never  mind,  I*m  old! 

Bandinklix) 

My  notes  are  blurred.     No  matter.     Now  the 

hands! 

Da  Trotti 

How  you  digress.     I  would  that  I  had  heard 

The  treatise! 

Battista 

Ah!  if  you  had  heard,  Da  Trotti! 


THE   FLORENTINES  27 

Bandinki.i<0  {hurriedly^ 
The  hand,  white  toward  the  wrist,  but  large  and 

plump 
And  soft  as  velvet.     Then  the  space  between 
The     forefinger    and    thumb    must    not    show 

wrinkles. 
The  pointed  fingers  that  some  prize  so  highly 
He  does  not  like.     Well,  have  I  said  enough  ? 

Da  TrotTi  {indignantly) 
Should  you  leave  out  the  best  part  of  the  lecfture — 
Stop  where  you  should  commence  ? 

CEi^iyiNi  (Jrritatingly) 

He  does — in  art ! 
Bandin^IvI^o  {excitedly) 
I'll  have  you  know,  you  boasting  blusterer, 
That  Bandinello  does  not  see  a  rival 
In  such  a  so-called  artist  as  Cellini ! 

CKI<IvINI 

Thank  God  there  are  in  Florence  men  who  can 
Appreciate  my  work  !     But  Bandinello*  s — 
Bah  !     'Tis  good  wine  {drinks)]  I  must  not  spoil 
the  flavor. 


28 THE   FI.QRENTINES 

PONTORMO   (^quickly') 
Come,  come,    we    are  all  friends !     No  feeling 

here  ! 
L<et  Florence  judge  now,  and  Posterity 
When  we  are — where  we  shall  be. 

\All  laugh. 
Drink— to  Art ! 
CEI.I.INI 
The  only  mistress  really  worth  the  loving  ! 

Battista 
The  Goddess  who  has  made  our  Florence— Flor- 
ence ! 

Da  TroTTi  {hand  on  hearf) 
The  means  whereby  the  Beauty  that  I  love 
May  some  day  show  her  face  to  others.      Drink  ! 

\All  drink, 
T0RK1.1.0 
I  think  good  wine  is  Art  personified. 

Da  Trotti 
What  scat' ring  brains  are  here  !    Only  Da  Trotti 
Sober,  or  thus  inspired,  never  fails — 
To  know  what  he  desires.     Here's  a  youth 


THE   FivORENTINES  29 

Who  sits  in  moodiness  and  makes  no  speeches. 
Have  you  forgotten  he  owes  us  confession  ? 

CeIvI<ini  {throwing  an  arm  about  Marsilio) 
What  ails  you,  boy  ?    You  leave  your  wine  un- 
tasted  ! 

PONTORMO 

We  are  a  merry  set  in  Florence.     Drink  ! 
Think  j  oy ous  thoughts !    Care  vanished  long  ago ! 
Pleasure  and  Art  combined  their  strength  against 

her 
And  drove  her  out  of  Italy!     Marsilio, 
Would  you  expel  her  memory  ?     Chianti ! 

Da  Trotti 
Or,  better,  tell  us  all  about  the  lady — 
For  there  is  one,  or  I  am  an  old  fool. 

Battista 
Say  ''And,^'   Da  Trotti— ^' And,"  not  ^*0r"! 

Say  *^And"  ! 

Da  Trotti 
Ah,  now  I  think  of  it!    A  noble  lady 
To  whom  I  paid  some  compliments  last  week 
Inquired  your  name  as  you  saluted  us. 
Is  she  the  one,  Marsilio  ?     I  yield  her. 


30  THE    FLORENTINES 

And  I  know  one  who  threw  you  tempting  glances 
There  at  the  Baths. 

Celuni 

And  there  are  many  others. 
My  fair  friends  quite  neglec5l  me  for  Marsilio. 
Upon  my  faith,  were  there  not  more  in  Florence, 
I  might  grow  jealous  of  my  new  apprentice! 

BANDINKI.LO 

Well,  is  it  one  of  us  you  have  succeeded  ? 

MARSII.IO  (^starting  indignantly) 
It  is  intolerable,  gentlemen, 
That  you  refer  to  her  thus  lightly.     Cease! 

[ToREiyiwO  and  Bat^ista  nod  approvingly. 

Da  Trotti 
Ah!     When  we're  young,  at  least  then  we  have 
faith. 

PONTORMO 

(^loudly y  to  distract  attention  from  Marsilio) 
'Tis  said  the  noble  lady,  Laura  Vinci, 
Writes  passionate  letters — and  to  whom,  think 
you? 


THE   PivORENTlNES  31 

Battista  {interested^ 
Who  is  the  favored  man  ? 

PoNTORMO  {laughingly') 

Her  husband.     Fancy! 

Celi^ini  {cynically) 
Quite  an  example!     Should  too  many  follow, 
An  end  to  Merriness!     Bah!  there's  no  danger! 

Da  TroTTi  {rising  and  pointing) 
Marsilio,  the  story!     Story!  story! 
Marsilio  {rising) 
You  force  me  to  it.     For  I  have  no  heart — 

T0RE1.1.0 
Of  course  not,  it  is  in  her  custody. 

MARS11.10 
To  speak  of  her  to  you. 

BANDINKI.LO  {starting  up) 

You  are  a  stranger! 
And  otherwise,  friends,  is  this  not  affront  ? 

{Reaches  for  his  sword. 
Battista 
Bandinello,  if  you  want  some  sword  play, 
My  friend  Cellini — 


32 THE   FLORENTINES    

Cei<i<ini  {drawing  his  blade) 

Has  in  mind  the  judgment 
You  passed  upon  his  skill  before  the  Duke! 

PONTORMO  {stepping  between  belligerents) 
The  man  who  picks  a  quarrel  drinks  three  bot- 
tles! 

\All  draw  swords^  laughing. 

Da  Trotti 
How  can  he  tell  it  while  you  keep  up  wrangling  ? 

T0RELI.0 
Silence  and  peace!     We'll  hear  Marsilio! 

Marsiuo  {rising) 
I  do  a  wrong  to  speak — 

PONTORMO 

You  compliment  her! 
Marsilio 
Do  you  remember,  Benvenuto,  what 
You  said  to  me  about  an  aureole 
You  chanced  to  notice  haloing  your  brow  ? 

[Cellini  nods^  pleased, 
A  luminous  ring,  a  circle  of  soft  light, 


THE   FI^ORENTINES 33 

Much  like  the  glory  we  ascribe  to  men 
Who  dedicate  their  lives  to  saint liness. 

CkIvLINI  {very  serious  I 
'Tis  there  !   And  it  is  strange,  surpassing  strange, 
That  I  alone  can  see  it.     For  'tis  there  ! 

BANDINKI.I.O  (mockingly) 
The  favorite  of  Heaven  !     See  !     Cellini ! 

[Friends  quiet  CKI.I.INI. 

Marsilio  {pleasantly) 
Having  in  mind  the  thought  it  might  appear 
To  you — and  you  alone — ^but  as  result 
Of  light  refledled  on  the  dewy  grass — 

CKI.I.INI  {indignantly) 
Why,  nonsense,  man,  'tis  something  spiritual ! 

MARCII.IO 

I  spent  an  idle  hour  upon  a  roof, 

Where  a  good  friend  of  mine  enjoys  his  garden, 

Observing  how  the  sun  can  cause  such  marvels. 

CKiyiyiNi  {anxiously) 
And  you  believe — 

MARSIIylO 

The  halo 's  light  refle<aed. 


34  THE   FLORENTINES 

CELI.INI  (^disgustedly^ 
Fool  Science  !     I  believe  what  I  believe  ! 

Marsilio  {inspirationally) 
Then  suddenly  I  saw  no  aureole, 
No  azure  sky,  no  flowers  at  my  feet; 
It  seemed  as  if  the  Goddess  Aphrodite, 
Fearing  her  shrines  and  not  herself  were  wor- 
shiped, 
Had  snatched  the  beauties  from  the  universe. 
Resolved  to  wear  them  for  her  own  adornment. 
And  then,  that  she  might  manifest  to  mortal. 
Had  merged  her  being  with  an  earthly  maiden^s ! 
There  in  the  sunlight,  on  a  neighboring  roof, 
I  saw  such  marvelous  vision  that  could  one 
Who  for  his  sins  must  face  perpetual  torment 
Behold  it  ere  he  died,  then  in  the  fires  of  Hell 
He  would  believe  himself  in  Paradise. 

C^iyiylNi  (^sharply  to  BANDiNEi^iyO,  who  starts  to 
interrupt) 

Bandinello,  if  you  interrupt  him 
With  sour  saying,  I  shall  make  of  you 
No  more  than  a  distasteful  memory. 


THE   FLORENTINES 55 

Bandinello  {to  Marsilio,  irritably^ 
Proceed. 

MARSIIylO 

Perhaps  just  stepping  from  her  bath, 
She  wore  a  simple  gown  of  purest  white 
That  draped  yet  half  revealed  her  form,  as  is 
So  wonderfully  done  by  Angelo — 

CKiyiviNi  {enthusiastically) 
A  man  to  whom  Cellini  might  be  debtor  ! 

MARSII.10 
Enthralled,  I  gazed  upon  her.     I  have  seen 
The  beautiful  of  Este,  Naples,  Florence. 
Compeer  with  her  cannot  be  found  among  them  ! 
All  unexpedled  came  a  gust  of  wind, 
Protestant  that  such  beauty  should  be  hidden, 
It  swept  the  garment,  loosening  the  brooch 
That  held  it  as  a  cloud  about  her  form. 
The  little  maid  who  held  her  moistened  hair 
To  mesh  the  golden  sunlight,  let  it  fall 
And  gazed  no  less  in  rapturous  admiration. 

Da  Trotti 
Had  I  but  studied  aureoles,  companions  ! 


36 THK   FivORBNTlNES 

Marsiuo 
Such  was  lyOve's  incarnation.     Swift  she  caught 
The  yielding  fabric,  and  replaced  the  brooch. 
Then  she  saw  me.     I  gazed  into  her  eyes. 
The  body,  model  for  Firenzuola, 
lyost  its  apparent  beauty  when  compared 
To  the  pure  soul  light  in  her  dreamy  eyes. 
That  too  I  saw  revealed  !     And  it  is  that, 
Too  marvelous  to  paint  in  words  or  colors, 
That  prompts  me   to  declare  in  all  the  world 

(^challengingly) 
There  is  no  other  like  her  ! 

Da  TroTTI  {quietly) 

I  once  knew  one 
lyike  that !   She  died  !   Well,  never  mind — go  on. 

Marsilio 
Diana  must  have  looked  at  Acfleon 
As  she  at  me.     And  yet  in  her  dismay 
And  indignation  was  an  element 
I  cannot  analyze.     Across  my  eyes 

{Slowly  drawing  hand  across  eyes, 
I  drew  my  hand,  and  stepped  down   from   the 
garden. 


THE   FIvORENTINES  37 

I  thought  she  did  the  same,  for  on  my  mind 

Is  vividly  impressed  an  arm  of  coloring 

So  exquisite  that  Rafaello  fails 

To  match  its  tint — an  arm  of  mould  most  faultless! 

Cki.i<ini  (^excitedly') 
The  arm !    Talk  more  of  that !    I  have  my  reason. 

Marsii^io 
What  language  makes  perfedlion  still  more  per- 
fect? 

Da  TroTTi  (^enthusiastically) 
Now  we  must  toast  that  lady.     Give  her  name  ! 

CKI.1.INI  (^excitedly) 
Yes,  quickly  that  !     Marsilio,  I  want  it. 

MARS11.10 
No  !     No  !     I  have  already  said  too  much. 

[A  servant  enters  with  letters  on  a  salver, 
and  proceeds  to  distribute  them  among 
the  guests, 

PONTORMO 

Lest  you  should  hasten,   friends,  back  to  your 
lodgings. 


38  THE    FLORENTINES 

Desirous  of  perusing  messages 
From  fair  ones  who  would  claim  the  evening, 
I  sent  my  servant  on  the  rounds,  and  here 
Behold  the  notes  that  waited  you  at  home. 

[All  laugh. 

BANDlNKiyi.0  {importantly,  as  he  glances  at  the  one 

given  to  him) 
An  urgent  message  from  the  Duke  of  Florence. 

[Looking  at  Cki^WNI. 

So  generous  a  patron  must  not  wait ! 

[Exitj^.  2.  ^, 

Cki^LINI  {pushing  his  letter  aside  unopened — eX' 

asperated) 
It  makes  me  protest  in  the  name  of  Art 
To  see  how  Cosimo  wastes  golden  ducats 
On  Bandinello's  miserable  statues. 

Da  Trotti  {with  affected  calmness) 
I  deem  myself  excused  if  I  depart 
In  haste.     This  will  explain.     Fare  ye  as  well ! 

[Throwing  letter,  open,  upon  table.     Exit 
Da  Trotti,  i..  2.  k. 


THE    FI^ORENTINES  39 

ToR^trivO  {reading  it  aloud) 
'*  Alfonso  Da  Trotti  is  too  gallant  a  gentleman 
to  keep  the  impatient  Imperia  waiting  one  minute 
after  the  fifteenth  hour — at  her  home. ' ' 

Ckllini  {taking  the  note) 
Let  me  see  that.     It  is  as  I  suspe<5led  ! 
That  '^  I,"  that  <<  T ''  !     It  is  Da  Trotti's  hand  ! 
And  what  an  inartistic  penman  !     He 
Goes  to  his  home,  the  while  Imperia — 
ToRBiyiyO  {reading  his  note) 
Meets  me  !     The  very  one  by  whom  I^m  sum- 
moned. 

[i&jrzV  ToR:ei.i.o,  l.  2.  K.  Battista,  pick- 
ing up  several  in  disgust,  tears  them 
up  unopened) 

Cellini 
You  seem  to  know  their  contents. 

Battista 

I  suppose 

I'd  better  go  and  pay  them  all — in  promises. 

These  merchants  !      How  they  put  a  man  to 

trouble  ! 

{Exit  Battista,  l.  2.  e.  Servant  whis- 
pers to  PONTORMO. 


40 THE   FLORENTINES 

PONTORMO  (looking  disturbed) 
By  all  means,  one  more  glass  before  you  go. 

Before  we  go  !     I  wonder  who's  in  there  ! 

\Points  to  door. 
Nay,  nay,  Pontormo  !     I^eave  us.     We  forgive 

you. 
Marsilio  and  I  would  speak  awhile. 

{Exit  Pontormo,  r.  3.  k. 

Cki^IvINI  {very  earnestly) 
Marsilo,  'twas  never  meant  by  Nature 
That  I  should  be  a  goldsmith  all  my  days, 
{Thoughtfully)  Tho'  'tis  a  craft  most  honorable, 

and  one 
Which  wins  the  friendship  of  the  Pope  himself. 
And  brings  me  means  to  live  and  great  renown. 
{Proudly)  But  I,  the  friend  of  Michael  Angelo — 
He  ranks  me  high,  and  he  is  a  good  judge — 
Have  loftier  ambitions,  as  you  know. 
For  through  and  through  I  am  an  artist.     Even 
{Confidentially)  In  that  accursed  music  I  am  a 

genius. 


THE   FLORENTINES  41 

{Enthused)  But  sculpture  !     There  in  marble  to 

record, 
Forever,  the  great  skill  of  Benvenuto 
Cellini — that  is  worthy  of  me  !     That 
Is  what  Nature  intended  me  to  do  ! 

MARSI1.10  {heartily') 
Beyond  a  question  !     Would  that  I  could  serve 

you  ! 
For,  Benvenuto,  none  to  friendship  truer 
Than  you  !     When  as  a  refugee  I  came 
Friendless  to  Florence,  your  inventive  mind 
Suggested  the  disguise  which  makes  me  safe 
From  spies  and  from  assassins.     In  your  service — 
Apprentice  to  the  foremost  goldsmith  living, 
{Graciously)  Who  will  be  foremost  sculptor — who 

would  guess 
Marsilio  Giotto  is  the  heir — 

CEI.1.INI  {warningly) 
On  guard  !      One  knows  not  what  his  shadow 

hears  ! 
Well,  now's  your  chance  to  serve  me,  for  I  know 
You  love  me  well,  as  I  do  you.     That  girl  {petu- 

lantly) 


42 THE   FLORENTINES      

Federiga,  tho'  she  postures  well — 

I  never  had  a  better  model  or 

A  more  affectionate  one — has  such  an  arm 

'Twould  ruin  me  to  copy  it.     I  want 

The  arm  you  saw,  and  hence  the  lady's  name. 

MARSII.IO  (^starting  back  in  dismay) 
What  !     She  pose  as  your  model !     She   your 

model ! 
The  chain  that  binds  me  to  you  has  each  link 
Of  love  or  gratitude,  or  your  suggestion. 
Your  barest  thought  of  such  a  consummation, 
Would  snap  it  in  the  instant ! 

Cki.i«ini 

You  refuse  me  ? 

MARSIIvIO 

Put  me. to  any  other  supreme  test ! 
Cellini,  ask  me  anything  but  that! 

C]^i.i,iNi  {loftily^ 
Surely  the  company  of  Benvenuto 
Cellini  is  a  thing  some  lovely  women 
Have  not  regarded  with  disfavor.     But 
I  need  not  argue  that.     My  reputation — 


THE   FLORENTINES  43 

MarsiIvIO  (in  a  friendly  manner) 

As  loyal  friend,  as  artist's  soul  embodied, 
As  the  one  man  who  is — Cellini !     Yes, 
All  that  I  know,  as  does  all  Italy. 
But  as  the  man  in  whom  a  woman  can 
Place  trust — 

CK1.LINI  {checking  Marsii<io  with  a  gesture) 

It  is  but  my  experience 
With  them  that  causes  me  so  to  regard 
All  but  my  mother  and  my  stupid  sister. 
Bah!     Shall  a  woman  stand   'twixt  such  good 

friends  ? 
'Tis  but  the  arm  I  want.     'Twill  be  a  statue 
That  in  a  thousand  years  men  will  admire 
As  the  great  work  of  a  God-favored  sculptor ! 

(enthusiastically) . 
The  very  arm,  so  perfectly  proportioned. 
Will  win  a  thought,  a  kind  one,  for  the  model — 
More  than  return  for  favors  she  may  grant 
To  you,  Marsilio.     I  want  the  arm! 
But  that,  upon  my  soul.     Tell  me  the  name! 


44 THE   FLORENTINES 

Marsilio 

Impossible.     I  should  not.     {Resolutely)  More,  I 
will  not! 

CklIvINI  {much  displeased) 

Between  Marsilio  and  Benvenuto 
Shall  there  be  enmity  ?     It  all  depends ! 

[Reads  the  note  addressed  to  him,    hereto- 
fore neglected 

MARSII.IO  {aside) 

I  know  well  what  that  means.    But  she  a  model! 
Would  she  accede  tho'  asked  by  Benvenuto  ? 

CelIvINI  {reads  aloud) 

* '  If  Benvenuto  Cellini  values  the  friendship  of 
one  who  will  remain  his  generous  {doubtfully) 
patron  as  long  as  he  will  lend  his  genius  {greatly 
pleased)  to  Florence,  he  will  come  at  once  to  the 
Palace,  for  we  would  place*  in  his  hands  for  im- 
mediate setting  a  royal  stone,  intended  as  a  gift 
to  {piously)  His  Holiness  the  Pope. — Cosimo, 
Duke  of  Florence. ' ' 


THE   FI.ORENTINES  45 

Marsii^io 
Cosimo! 

[CKi<iyiNi  looks  at  him  watchfully, 

Cki^uni 
Ha!     He  starts.     Cosimo 's  ward! 
MarsiIwIO  (^eagerly') 
Take  me  with  you,  Cellini  ;  I  would  meet 
The  noble  Duke.     Some  day  we  may  be  allies, 
When  I  recover  my  lost — 

C:EiyLiNi  {triumphantly^ 

Loved  one! 


CURTAIN 


46  THE   FLORENTINES 


SCKNK  II. — Garden  of  the  Palace  of  Cosimo^  Duke 
of  Florence,  A  splendid  stairway  (l.)  leads 
into  the  Palace^  which  can  be  also  entered 
below  the  same,  A  statue  of  Hercules  and 
Cacus  in  right  foreground.  Trees  ^  and  foun- 
tain in  center  of  stage,  A  bench  beneath  one 
of  the  trees. 

Discovered :  Near  statue  of  Hercules  and  Cacus^ 
BandineIvI.0,  irritated,  addressing  PiER 
Francesco  Riccio,  Major  Domo  to  Duke, 
The  latter  is  young  and  is  gayly  attired. 


BandinEI*i.o    {rnaking    vicious  passes   with   his 
sword) 

Think  you,  Pier  Riccio,  there  breathes 
The  air  of  Florence  such  a  fencing-master 
As  could  teach  me  some  well-devised  passado 
Certain  to  be  unknown  to  this  Cellini  ? 
I  would  far  rather  bear  the  plague's  foul  scars 
Than  hear  his  brags  and  face  his  swaggerings. 
I'd  risk  it  now — but  how  that  devil  fences! 


THE    FLORENTINES  47 

Riccio 
He  knows  them  all!     But,  noble  Bandinello, 
Why  jeopardize  your  person  ?    For  ten  ducats, 
Or  even  less,  some  quick  Sicilian  dagger 
Would  end  his  boasting. 

Bandin^i.1,0 

It  is  worth  reflection. 
Meanwhile,  I  like  you,  Riccio.     Take  this. 

[Handing  him  a  gold  piece. 
'Twill  buy  a  smile  for  you  from  Federiga. 

Riccio 
Time  was  I  gave  no  gold  for  them.     But  now 
The  girl  points  nose  to  sky  while  I  waste  words 
Upon  her  beauty — says  she  is  the  model 
Through  whom  Cellini  will  attain  such  fame 
That  by  comparison  men  will  declare 
{Slowly)  You  are  a  blockhead  who  does  clumsy 
work. 

BANDINEI.I.O  {exasperated) 
Those  are  the  very  words  he  uses !     Heaven 
Grant  me  some  means  to  rid  me  of  Cellini ! 


48  THE    FLORENTINES 

Riccio 
May  such  a  prayer  find  favor!     He  treats  me — 
The  Major  Domo  to  the  Duke  of  Florence — 
As  if  I  were  the  vilest  of  his  servants! 
And  sometimes  I  half  think  that  girl  loves  him! 

BandinelIvO  (^giving  him  several  coins) 
More  ducats!     Waste  them  not  upon  a  woman! 

{Suggestively, 
Give  gold  for  steel.    A  good  exchange  of  metals 
Sometimes — this    time!      Or    find     some    other 

way — 
I  care  not,  so  Cellini  struts  no  more. 

\_Enter  Ckllini,    Marsii^io,    and  DukB 
from  Palace,  i,.  2.  K.,  under  stairway, 

DuKK 
Riccio,  find  the  Lady  Leonora. 

{Pointing  to  Marsilio. 
I  learn  this  gentleman  knows  more  about 
The  special  virtues  of  the  precious  stones 
Than  I  do.     Bid  her  show  him  my  collection. 

[Exeunt  MARSiiyio  and  Riccio,  entering 
Palace  by  stairs  on  left. 


THE   FLORENTINES  49 

Well,   Bandinello!      You  have  done  good  work 

here. 

[Pointing  to  the  statue  of  Hercules, 

What  say  you,  Benvenuto?     You're  a  critic 

CKiyiyiNi  (^studying  the  statue^ 
What  says  Florence  ? 

BANDINKI.1.0  {hastily) 

'Tis  abuse  that  praises. 
When  1  uncovered  this,  my  masterpiece, 
A  hundred  sonnets,  at  the  least,  were  published 
lampooning  me.     I  count  that  high  distindlion. 

Ce:i.i;.ini  {slowly) 
When  Michael  Angelo  a  masterpiece 
Displayed  in  Florence,  at  the  least  two  hundred. 
Each  vying  with  his  neighbor  to  extol 
The  marvel,  gave  the  tribute  due  his  genius! 
In  my  experience,  therefore,  I  would  say 
The  poets  voice  the  sentiment  of  Florence! 

BANDINKI.1.0  {angrily) 
Does  this  Cellini,  who  is  but  a  goldsmith— 

CkIvI^ini  {grandly) 
Were  you  as  welcome  at  the  Court  of  France 


50 THE    FLORENTINES 

As  I,  you  certainly  would  hear  King  Francis, 
A  splendid  connoisseur — {glancing  slyly  at  Duke) 

and  what  a  patron ! — 
Declare  my  Jupiter  the  finest  piece 
He  ever  saw.     {Proudly)  Cellini  is  a  sculptor! 
And  when  Andromeda  is  once  completed — 

Bandinei.i<o  {scornfully) 
There  will  be  just  one  man  who  calls  it  famous! 
[  The  DuKK  manifests  his  enjoyment  of  the 
situation, 

CKLiyiNi  {in  a  tone  of  superiority) 

I  meant  to  prove  a  recreant  to  Art, 

And  let  this  Hercules  remain  unsentenced. 

But  now  you  judge  my  unshown  work  so  harshly 

{Quietly)  I'll  tell  the  truth  about  this  waste  of 

marble. 

[Ignoring  Bandinei^lo. 

Of  course  'tis  mere  quotation.     I  but  echo 

The  just  opinion  of  the  entire  city. 

{Pointing  to  head)  Shave  off  the  hair  from  it! 

Room  is  not  left 
To  hold  the  brains.     A  mirror  furnished  model! 


THE   FLORENTINES  51 

The  face — how  badly  set  upon  the  neck! 
Those  sprawling  shoulders — like  the  two  great 
pommels 

[^Turning  to  Bandinki.i.0. 

Seen  on  pack-saddles  fitly  worn  by  asses! 

BandinkIvLO  {hotly) 
My  lord  Duke  Cosimo,  the  man  is  jealous! 

CEI.1.INI  {scornfully) 
Jealous  of  what  our  learned  school  of  Florence 
Says  had  been  modeled,  at  least  the  breast  and 

muscles, 
From  a  big  sack  of  melons  'gainst  a  wall! 
Jealous  of  the  worst  work  of  a  poor  sculptor! 
Why,  see,  as  in  the  work  of  all  pretenders, 
And  contrary  to  the  simplest  rule,  it  leans 
Forward  beyond  the  one-third  cubit  limit. 
There  are  so  many  faults  in  their  opinion 
I  dare  not  mention  all,  lest  there  be  one 
Which  your  keen  eye,  my  lord,  has  overlooked. 
Why,  Bandinello,  see,  your  Hercules 
Has  one  foot  underground,  the  other  hangs 
As  if  it  rested  on  hot  coals!     This,  Art! 


52 THE   FLORENTINES 

BANDINEI.I.O  {hotly) 
You  slanderous  tongue,  ignoring  my  design! 

DuKB  {with  evident  enjoyment) 
Yes;  what  of  that,  my  Argus-eyed  CelUni  ? 

Cellini 
Did  ever  a  good  draughtsman  show  bad  work  ? 
The  drawing  probably  is  like  the  statue. 

Bandinello  {sputtering) 
You  thief!     You  murderer!     You — 

Cellini   {drawing  his  sword  and  by  dexterous 
passes  threateniiig  Bandinello) 

Go  no  further! 
My  lord,  pray  close  your  eyes  an  instant  while 
My  blade  determines  if  there  be  a  heart 
Beneath  the  flesh  of  such  a  lifeless  workman  ! 

Duke  {laughingly) 
Upon  my  faith,  my  good  friend  Benvenuto, 
I  better  am  your  patron  than  your  rival! 
{Severely)  But  you  forget — 

Cellini  {bowing  profoundly) 

Your  Excellency,  pardon! 
One  fool  can  make  a  hundred.    This  man's  follies 


THE   FLORENTINES  53 

Did  for  a  moment  blind  me  to  the  glory 

Of  your  illustrious  presence. 

(^To  Bandinkllo,  grandly)  You  may  live! 

[BANDiNKLiyO  cautiously  moves  toward  right. 

Bandinki<i.o 

My  lord,  I  cannot  hope  to  keep  my  patience 

[Front  safe  distance. 

Where   this  stone-cutter  brags.      Your  perfecSl 

health! 

[Exit  BANDINE1.1.0,  R.  2.  K. 

Cki^WNI  (^Running  imaginary  adversary  through 

with  his  sword) 
My  lord,  but  for  your  mercy,  Bandinello 
Would  cut  no  more  of  these  abominations! 

Duke  (^laughing) 
Be  calm,  and  you  shall  have  that  block  of  marble 
I  know  you  long  have  coveted.     And  now 
Promise  to  work  on  nothing  but  the  setting 
Of  this  (^showing  a  diamond) .    What  think  you  ? 

Is  it  not  superb  ? 
Until  you  have  completed  such  design 
'Twill  be  the  marvel  of  your  craft  forever. 


54 THE   FLORENTINES 

CEIvI<INI 

Simple  enough  to  do,  but  it  takes  time. 
I  must  go  on  with  my  Andromeda  {warming  up). 
To  show  to  Florence  why  the  King  of  France 
Esteems  my  statues — 

Duke  {nettled) 

Never  mind  King  Francis; 
Florence  will  pay  due  tribute  to  your  skill. 

CKI.I.INI  {protestingly) 
But  Francis  paid  more  gold. 

DuKK 

Wait!     You  will  see 
A  Medici  is  not  ungenerous. 
Will  you  postpone  Andromeda,  and  set 
This  diamond  in  manner  worthy  of  it  ? 

C]^i,i<iNi  {examining  diamond) 
A  splendid  stone !  Worth  twenty  thousand  ducats, 
Or  I*m  no  judge. 

Duke 
Yes,  and  five  thousand  more  ! 


THE    FLORENTINES  55 

CKl^IylNI 

Had  you  consulted  me  !     'Tis  a  good  stone  ! 
Suppose  I  lay  Andromeda  aside — 
A  thing  I  hate  to  do,  as  you  well  know — 
To  set  this  diamond  in  haste,  would  you 
I^end  splendor  to  the  reign  of  Cosimo, 
Add  lustre  to  Cellini's  name,  and  aid 
The  cause  of  Art  ? 

Duke  {cautiously^ 

What  is  it  you  request  ? 

CKIvI^INI 

You  know  that  model  at  my  studio, 

The  one  your  Major  Domo  Riccio 

Is  ever  bothering — that  Pederiga — 

I  thought  that  she  would  serve  for  my  great 
statue  ; 

In  fac5l,  I  promised  it  to  her.     She  cannot ! 

Her  form  might  do,  and  must  for  want  of  better. 

But  what  an  awful  arm  !     I  quite  despaired 

{Inspirationally)  Until  I  thought  of  I^ady  Leo- 
nora ! 


56 THE   FLORENTINES 

DUKB 

She  would  not  pose  for  you  !    The  Duchess  says 

This  girl,  who  distantly  is  of  my  kin, 

Is  modesty  personified.      And  you 

And  your  alarming  reputation  !     Why, 

The  very  notion  of  what  you  desire 

Would— 

Cei*i.ini  {protesHngly^ 

Good  my  lord,  how  slander  doth  assail 
If  one  emerge  out  of  the  commonplace  ! 
Were  time  my  own  instead  of  pledged  to  Art 
{Airily)  It  would  delight  me  to  discuss  at  length 
Some  matters  with  the  Lady  Leonora. 
But   as  it  is,  your  servant  Benvenuto  {bowing 

low) 
Must  ask  permission  to  declare  a  bargain. 
Let  him  proceed  to  set  this  stone  while  you 
Persuade  the  lady  to  permit  her  arm — 
To  be  immortalized.     I'll  do  the  task, 
Since  she  is  over-prudish,  in  the  presence 
Of  your  illustrious  consort,  and  agree 
Never  to  make  a  mention  of  it.     This — 


THE   FLORENTINES 57 

DUKK 

Is  fair  enough.     I  shall  secure  consent, 

And  want  your  promise  now.    Remember,  silence ! 

\Enter  Marsilio  and  Leonora,  coming 
dow7i  stairway  leading  from  Palace, 
She  carries  a  casket  of  Jewels. 

Duke  {giving  him  the  diamond^ 
Take  care  of  it.     'Tis  worth  full  thirty  thousand. 

CElyl^INI 

Trust  me  for  that !     {Aside)  Its  price  is  thirty 

now  ! 
How  values  range  for  purchase,  sale,  or  gift ! 
(  To  Duke)  Detain  not  my  apprentice  to  such  hour 
His  health  may  suffer.     He's  so  delicate 

\For  Marsilio  to  overhear. 

And  such  a  quiet,  unassuming  boy, 
I  would  not  lose  him  by  some  accident. 
Your  Excellency  !     Heaven  prosper  you  ! 

\A  sweeping  salute.      Exit  Celi^ini,  r.  2.  ]^. 


58 THE    FLORENTINES 

Duke  {to  I^eonora) 
Remind  me  in  the  morning  Benvenuto 
Has  a  new  want,  and  for  once  it  is  not  gold  ! 

\Exit  DuKK,  L.  2.  K. ,  under  stairs.  Mar- 
SII.IO  and  Lkonora  approach  bench 
under  a  tree^  u.  c. 

Leonora 
Was  it  from  Benvenuto,  as  the  Duke 
Calls  him,  you  learned  so  much  of  jewels? 

[Leonora  seats  herself.  She  holds  the 
casket  of  gems  for  him  to  examine, 

Marsiuo 


No, 


Lady  Leonora.     Since  my  boyhood 
I  have  seen  much  of  them. 


Lkonora 
You  served  skilled  goldsmiths  ? 

MARSII.IO  {confused^ 
They  served —    Ah,  yes.     I  long  have  studied 

gems. 
I  love  all  things  of  beauty.     I  have  read, 
Strangely  enough,  the  Orestes  of  your  uncle. 


THE   FI.ORBNTINES 59 

lyKONORA 

More  strange  that  the  apprentice  of  a  goldsmith 
Knows  Dante  and  Petrarch  and  Ariosto 
All  quite  as  well  as  do  the  best  of  scholars. 
( Carelessly)  Of  course  you  fence  and  dance,  and 
write  a  sonnet  ? 

MarsiIvIO  (^casket  of  jewels  lies  open  on  bench  be- 
tween them) 

Most  naturally.     {Confusedly)  That  is,  I  should 

say 
I  much  would  like  to.     Here's  an  amethyst. 
What  a  rare  shade! 

\The  stone  is  set  in  a  gold  pin. 

Lkonora  {Taking  it) 

What  does  it  symbolize  ? 

Marsiwo 

Deep  love. 
lyKONORA  (coquettishly) 

A  pretty  jewel.     Let  the  Duke  beware. 

In  truth,  this  tempts  me  !    I  may  borrow  it. 


6o  THE   FI^ORENTINES 

MARSII.IO  (with  a  tinge  of  sadness) 
'Twould  carry  its  own  punishment.     And  yet — 
\Fasteni7ig  the  pin  in  her  garment. 

I^KONORA 

If  you  were  my  adviser,  you  would  say — 

Marsilio  (fervently) 
It  should  be  yours. 

lyKONORA  (lajighing) 

'Tis  well  that  you  are  not  ; 
Fancy  what  lessons  you  would  teach  ! 

MARSIIylO 

Did  I 
Appear  as  other  than  a  mere  apprentice, 
Marsilio  Giotto,  I  might  ask 
Leave  of  the  gracious  Lady  Leonora 
To  give  myself  the  pleasure  of  presenting 
To  her  this  beryl. 

[Drawing  a  pin  from  his  cloak, 

LKONORA  {in  delighted  tone) 
How  can  I  accept  ? 

\A  slight  pause. 
And  were  you,  then,  some  other  than  you  seem — 


THE   FLORENTINES  6i 

MARSII.IO 

Might  I  then  hope  ? 

ly^ONORA 

When  one  has  courtly  manners 
And  a  true  heart — who  knows  ? 

Marsii^io 

Will  you  accept  it  ? 

lyEONORA 

What  does  the  beryl  bring  ? 

MARSIIvIO 

Great  happiness. 

lyEONORA 

What  woman  offered  happiness  refuses 
Without  repentance  ?     Could  I  but  believe 
One  of  such  knightly  bearing  would  respedl 
A  sentiment  that  does  me  no  dishonor, 
I  would  accept  this  beryl  for  its  meaning, 
And  in  return  permit  this  mere  apprentice, 
Marsilio  Giotto  (^stressing  name  GiOTTo)  to  dis- 
play 
His  scholarship  in  reading  uncle's  poem, 
* '  Italia  lyiberata. "     '  Tis  unpublished. 
Will  you  peruse  the  manuscript  to-morrow  ? 


62 THE   FLORENTINES 

MARSII.IO 

It  is  an  exchange  that  favors  me  unduly; 
Yet  be  it  on  my  conscience — I  accept. 

[He  seems  to  have  some  difficulty  in  putting 
the  pin  through  the  cloth.  She  assists 
him.      Their  hands  touch, 

Leonora  {suddenly) 
But  oh,  how  fast  we  move  in  new-formed  friend- 
ship ! 
Just  think,  I  never  saw  you  'til  this  hour. 

MARSII.IO 

But  I  saw  you — 

Leonora  {indignantly) 

How  can  you  say  this  thing  ? — 

MARSII.IO  {with  deep  feeling) 
Ere  ever  I  saw  Florence  !     Years  ago, 
When  all  of  life  was  new  to  me  and  fresh, 
And  the  great  sun  seemed  burning  but  to  light 
The  beauty  o'  th'  world  and  deeds  resplendent, 
I  seemed  to  know  that  sometime  in  my  life. 
By  Fate,  not  Chance,  I  would  meet  that  peerless 
one 


THE  FLORENTINES  63 

Who  stands,  perfedl,  amid  the  unrivaled  women 
Of  Italy;  and  with  this  knowledge  came 
A  strange  awareness  of  her  ac5lual  presence. 
I  loved  one  yet  unseen.     Then  kind  Fortune 
Brought  me  to  Florence,  placed  me  with  Cellini, 
Summoned  me  here  this  hour,  and  I  see 
That  wondrous  Presence  now  at  last  embodied  ! 
Thus  have  I  seen  and  see  the  I^ady  Leonora  ! 

Lkonora 

How  skilfully  you  veil  a  compliment ! 

This  is  a  dodlrine  of  affinity 

That  is  so  novel  I  can  scarce  believe  it. 

MARS11.10 
Yet  could  you  feel  »some  faith  in  it — 

Lkonora 

I  do.     But  it  is  so  mysterious! 

(^Mockingly')  How  could  I  be  that  Presence  you 

say  came 
To  you,  sensed  but  unseen,  a  thing  unearthly, 
When  I  am  of  an  earthly  cast  and  mould  ? 


64  THE   FI^ORENTINES 

MarsiItIo  {passionately) 
No!  heavenly!  I  swear! 

Lkonora 

How  you  proceed  ! 
You  are  no  Florentine!  That  much  is  certain! 
lyittle  they  know  of  things  supernal  here. 

[Pretending  annoyance. 
We  have  a  miracle,  and  you  would  spoil  it 
By  an  anxiety  to  flatter  me. 

Marsilio 

With  other  words    I   would    have    challenged 
Truth. 

Leonora  {mockingly) 
II  heavenly  !     This  something  that  you  saw 
Long  years  ago  has  worked  upon  your  mind, 
And  you  see  facts  transformed.     I  heavenly  ! 
This  wonder  you  narrate  appeals  to  me — 
The  Roucellai  always  have  been  students 

[A  slight  pause, 
I  think  I  have  the  clue  to  it. 

Marsiwo  {puzzled) 
It  is— 


THE  FLORENTINES 65 

I^EONORA  {softly) 

'Tis  this.     I,  too,  have  often  thought 
I  sensed  a  Presence  that  would  one  day  come 
Where  I  might  be,  clothed  in  the  splendid  form 
Of  one  of  fearless  and  of  gallant  bearing — 
And  too  much  eloquence — and  with  some  knowl- 
edge 
(  Yieldingly)  Of  how  to  please  a  very  foolish  girl. 
[MARSiiyio  starts  toward  her,     Lkonora 
steps  back. 
How  late  it  grows!     There's  much  I  must  think 

over. 
(^Airily)  This  marvelous  thing — awareness  of  a 
presence ! 

[It  is  steadily  growing  darker. 

MARSII.10  {beseechingly) 
It  is  not  late.     The  shadows  prove  my  claim. 

Leonora  {moving  toward  stairs  and  ascending) 

To-morrow,  in  the  afternoon,  you  may 
Tell  me  more  legends  of  the  amethyst, 
And  help  me  to  interpret  obscure  lines 


66 THE   FI.ORENTINES 

In  uncle's  tragedy.     Then  you  may  read 
Aloud  to  me,  Marsilio  Giotto. 

[Pronouncing  name  questioningly , 
Marsiwo  {aside) 
My  name  so  strangely  spoken  ! 

{Eagerly  to  her)  We  will  read — 

lyKONORA  {moving  slowly  up  steps  and  entering 
Palace) 

{Archly)  Awhile. 
\Exit  LEONORA.     Enter  Dukk,  i..  2.  k. 

DuKK 
Young  man,  you  serve  the  very  greatest  rascal 
This  side  of  France. 

MARSiiyio  {protestingly) 

Duke  Cosimo,  Cellini — 

Duke; 
Is  a  kind  master,  you  will  say.    I  grant  it — 
To  all  except  poor  fools  like  me,  who  fear 
Lest  he  should  take  his  skill  from  Italy, 
And  so  permit  him  to  mock  the  Bargello 


THE   FLORENTINES  67 

When  that  poor  mortal  tries  to  keep  the  peace. 

Well!  well!     These  artists!     Oftentimes  I  won- 
der 

Whether  the  fame  we  think  they  win  for  Flor- 
ence 

Equals  their  cost  to  us,  the  Medici. 

But  you  ?     He  says  he  loves  you  as  a  brother! 

Answer!     Whence  comes  this  hold  on  his  re- 
gard? 

Marsilio 

Your  Excellency,  have  I  your  permission 

To  ask  a  question  and  then  answer  yours  ? 

DUKIS 

The  love  of  Heaven  !     If  one  knows  an  artist, 
He  talks  as  proudly  as  the  Pope  himself. 
Yes,  you  may  ask  it. 

MARS11.10 
Grateful  for  your  kindness, 
I  ask.  What  feeling  have  you  toward  the  Prince 
{Slight pause)  Of  Perombino? 

DuK^  {coldly) 

Why  not  ask  as  well 


68 THE    FLORENTINES 

How  Cosimo  D6  Medici  regards 

The  hundred  others  with  whom  he  must  traffic 

To  hold  his  present  state  in  Italy  ? 

MARSIIvIO 

That  were  beyond  all  right.     If  I  presume 
Upon  your  graciousness,  pardon,  my  lord. 

DuK^  {mockingly^ 
Are  you  the  Prince  of  Perombino  ? 


MARSII.IO  (^proudly) 


Yes. 


DuKK  {severely) 
What!     You!     Is  this  one  of  Cellini's  jests? 
If  so,  I  think  it  carries  no  great  humor. 
Do  not  presume  too  far  on  my  forbearance. 

Marsilio 
Duke  Cosimo,  disguise  befits  me  ill, 
Altho'  perforce  I  have  adopted  it 
Against  assassins.     But,  my  lord,  to  you. 
Whose  rank  exceeds  my  own,  I  shall  be  frank. 
You  know  that  he  who  now  rules  Perombino 
Has  little  right  thereto.     A  D'Appiani 
{Protcdly)  Alone  holds  proper  title. 


THE   FI.ORENTINES 69 

DuKK  {thoughtfully') 

It  is  true 
The  Pope  has  recognized  that  claim  as  just. 
But  he  whom  you  declare  usurps  has  power — 
Power,  men,  and  money!     Florence  gains 
Little  from  him,  however.     Suppose  you  had 
The  aid  of  Florence  to  regain  your  rights, 
What  might  we  then  expedl  from  Perombino  ? 

MARSII.10  {eagerly) 
That  should  you  ever  stand  in  slightest  peril 
From  your  own  foes,  the  strength  of  Perombino 
Is  yours  at  call. 

DuKB 
Best  judgment  after  sleep! 
To-morrow  bring  the  proofs  of  what  you  claim, 
And  you  may  find  me  favorably  disposed 
To  lend  you  forces.     We,  the  Medici, 
Can  never  be  too  strong  to  make  new  friends — 
At  proper  cost.     Trust  no  man  here  in  Florence 
Beyond  Cellini  with  your  secret.  Prince. 

MARSllylO  {radiant) 
I  shall  obey,  most  noble  Duke. 


TO THE   FLORENTINES 

DuKK  {^  pleasantly^ 

You  saw 
My  gem  colledlion.     What  think  you  of  it? 

Marsiwo  {warmly') 
'Tis  unsurpassed.     And  there  is  one  I  saw 
Too  beautiful  for  words. 

Duke  (Jooking  at  him  searchingly) 
When  you  regain 
Fair  Perombino,  to  my  new  ally 
Let  me  present  it  as  close  friendship's  token. 

[MARSII.IO  looks  radiant. 
Show  gratitude  hereafter!     No!     Help  now! 
Get  Benvenuto  started  on  my  work! 
(^Aside)  That  great  Andromeda!    Must  have  the 
arm! 

[Marsii^io  starts. 

This  calls  for  skill.     My  wife  must  lend  me  aid. 
\^The  DuKK  leaves  him  and  enters  Palace, 

MARSII.IO  (^dismayed) 
Must  have  the  arm!     CelHni!     And  the  Duke — 
Must  have  the  arm!     How  can  it  be  prevented  ? 
{Enter  CKI.1.INI,  R.  2.  E. 


THE   FLORENTINES  71 

CKiyiviNi  (^jovially) 
Well,  am  I  not  a  loyal  friend,  Marsilio  ? 
Here  for  an  hour  have  I  waited  for  you, 
( Whimsically^   Lest   walking   home   alone,  with 

soul  inspired 
By  memories  of  merry  dancing  eyes, 
Your  steps  betray  your  mind's  bewilderment, 
And  then  you  meet  the  solemn-faced  Bargello, 
Who  never  will  accept  an  explanation 
From  joyous  youths  roaming  about  o'  nights. 

[MARSiiyio  remfiins  sober. 
And  you  should  look  like  one!  Yet  you  appear 
As  grave  as  any  owl. 

MARSiiyio  {nervously^ 

I  must  ask  you, 
Cellini,  have  you  spoken  to  the  Duke 
About  Andromeda  and  of  the  Lady — 

CKi^iyiNi  {with  a  forced  laugh) 
The  Lady  Leonora!     Come,  my  boy. 
You  do  not  think  my  sober  forty  years 
Make  me  your  rival!     Have  no  fear  of  that! 


72 THE  FLORENTINES 

Marsii^io 
But  did— 

CKI.I.INI 

Come  home,  and  talk  no  more  about  it. 

When  I  was  twenty-three  they  all  seemed  angels. 

Marsilio 

You  have  not  really  answered — 

Cki<i.ini 

Not  a  word! 

(^Reproachfully^  Why,  boy,  you  wrong — the  lady 

— ^by  suspicion! 


CUR  TAIN 


ACT  II 


SCBNK  I.  —  Workshop  and  studio  of  CEIytlNI. 
General  confusion  of  seats ^  screens^  draperies. 
Among  the  things  evidencing  the  dual  use  of 
room  are  incomplete  rough  model  of  Andro- 
meda and  a  table  littered  with  goldsmitfC  s  tools. 
Door  R.  R.,  leading  to  sleeping  apartment;  one 
I,.  I.  K.,  to  street ;  window,  L.  3.  K.,  overlook- 
ing street.  It  is  evening,  and  lamps  are 
lighted. 

Discovered :  Fkdbriga  posing  before  mirror,  R. 
Enter  Cei<IvINI,  i,.  2.  K.  He  throws  himself 
wearily  upon  a  chair, 

CBi^iyiNi  {angrily  to  FkdERIGA) 
Federiga ! 

Fkderiga  {a7txiously) 
Yes,  my  lord  !     What  is  it  ? 

[She  hurries  to  his  side. 

CBI.1.INI  {angrily) 
I  come  in  tired,  thirsty  !     What,  of  course  ? 

[She  hands  him  a  cup.     He  drinks, 
I  wonder  if  I  killed  him  ?    If  I  had 
A  common  mind  like  others,  it  is  certain 

75 


76  THE   FLORENTINES 

I  could  not  keep  my  patience  with  such  troubles! 
Too  bad  there  were  no  witnesses  !     That  thrust 
I  gave  him  was  a  marvel !     (^Disgustedly^  No  one 

saw  it  ! 
(^Suddenly  pleased^  I'll  wager  he  was  hired  by 

Bandinello  ! 
It  maddens  him  to  see  how  Florence  loves  me. 

Fedkriga 
My  lord,  will  you  require  me  this  hour  ? 

Cei*i.ini  {irritably') 
No,  and  no  other.     I  am  done  with  you. 
Look  at  the  work  I  did  on  that  Andromeda  ! 

[Pointing  to  Andromeda. 
Worthless  !     Am  I  a  Bandinello  ?     No  ! 
It's  not  my  fault.     It's  yours.     lyook  at  your 

arm  ! 
I  copy  that !    Yes,  and  your  figure  is  bad. 

Federiga  {a7igrily) 
Illustrious  signore,  'tis  not  bad  ! 

CELIylNI 

What !     You  will  contradidl  a  man  who  knows 
The  true  proportions  of  the  human  body 


THE   FLORENTINES  77 

Down  to  the  nicest  fradlion  ?     Federiga, 
You  go  !     Just  so,  I  said  you  go  !     My  art 
Demands  it.     /  must  have  a  better  model. 

Fkdkriga 
My  lord,  I  will  improve,  but  let  me  stay. 
I  will  stay  !     If  you  bring  another  here 
In  place  of  me,  I'll  kill  her  ! 

CElyLINI 

You  will  do  what  ? 
I  want  no  words.     I  do  want  a  good  model. 
The  love  of  Heaven  !     Shall  my  work  proclaim 

me 
As  poor  as  Bandinello  ?     Me,  Cellini  ! 
(^Aside)    Yet    what    avails   my   skill  without    a 
model  ? 

Fkderiga  (^aside) 
Some  miserable  wretch  makes  love  to  him  ! 
My  lord,  do  you  no  longer  care  for  me. 

\She  weeps, 
Ckli^ini  {aloud  to  himself) 

A  woman's  brawling  now  !     Friend  Benvenuto, 
These  women  are  a  nuisance.     Always  trouble  ! 


T8 THB   FLORENTINES 

Be  firm,  be  just  to  Benvenuto  !     Send 
This  girl  away. 

[Giving  her  money  ^  which  she  takes. 

Take  this,  and  come  no  more. 

Federiga 
I  will  not  go  ! 

CEl,IyINI 

Well,  you  do  go!     And  at  once! 
\He  opens  the  door  to  push  her  out.     She 
evades  him  and  goes  u.  c.      Marsiwo 
enters  equipped  for  travel, 

MARSII.IO 

What's  wrong  with  Federiga,  Benvenuto? 

Cellini 
Manners,  figure — everything  !     That  arm  ! 
I'm  out  of  humor  anyway  !     What's  happened  ? 

Marsilio  {joyfully) 
Enough  to  make  you  joyous  for  my  sake. 
Think!     I  have  really  won  her,  Benvenuto — 
Won  her,  altho'  she  thinks  me  your  apprentice  ! 


THE   FLORENTINES  79 

CKiyiviNi  (^pleased) 
Perhaps  association  with  Cellini 
Did  you  no  harm;  but  still  I  think  the  credit 
Belongs  to  you.     She's  a  Rucellai. 
No  better  family  in  Florence.     Boy, 
You  do  me  honor!     I  am  proud  of  you  ! 

Marsiwo  (Joyfully') 
The  smile  of  Fortune  lights  all  things  about  me ! 
The  Duke  of  Florence  lends  me  his  support — 
I  come  to  say  farewell.     I  leave  this  night 
For  Perombino.     In  another  month 
I  shall  return  to  ask  you  to  my  Court. 

CEI.I.INI    (unconsciously  striking  Fbdkriga,  who 

has  approached^  penitently^  with  his  sword) 
Good  !     Good!     I  love  you,  my  Marsilio  ! 
(7d?  Fkderiga)  What,  you  still  here!     Take 
this  (giving  her  money)  and  go,  I  say  ! 

\He  snatches  up  the  cup. 
Prosperity  to  Perombino' s  Lord — 

\]^is,TyB,KiOK  goes  out  one  door y  andy  returning 
by  another,  reappears  in  rear  of  studio, 
— ^And  to  the  gracious  Lady  Leonora  ! 


8o THE   FLORENTINES 

MarsiIvIO  {significantly') 
You  then  remain  my  true  and  loyal  friend  ? 

Cki.i<ini  {laughing) 
I  promise  you  the  lady  will  not  come 
To  this  my  workshop — ^no,  my  studio  ! 

MarsiIvIO  {from  door) 
We  start  before  the  break  of  day.     Farewell ! 
Good  luck  with  your  Andromeda  ! 

CBLI.INI  {warmly,  as  Marsilio  goes) 

Success  ! 
[Exit  Marsilio. 

Cei<LINI  {thoughtfully,  earnestly,  as  he  turns 
from  the  door) 
I  wish  I  were  the  father  of  Marsilio  ! 
He  would  have  been  an  artist !     Not  like  me, 
A  mere  pretender,  boasting  of  the  future 
That  soon  will  be  the  past,  with  nothing  done 
To  rank  my  name  with  Michael  Angelo's  ! 
I  would  have  taught  him  all  that  I  have  learned! 
The  flame  that  dimly  shines  in  me,  in  him, 
Fed  by  a  purer  and  a  loftier  spirit, 


THE   FLORENTINES  8i 

Might  have  created  some  immortal  thing  ! 

I  could  have  done  it  had  I  kept  my  vision 

Above  the  gross  and  earthly  beautiful ! 

There  is  a  passion  that  exalts  the  soul, 

And  there  are   passions,   too,    that  quench  its 

light— 
You  are  of  earth,  Cellini !     Why  aspire  ? 
Laugh  with  the  wanton,  turn  your  skill  to  gold, 
Spend  it  with  friends  and  mock  your  enemies — 
And  Florencec  ries :  *  *  Cellini,  drink  with  us  !  *' — 
While  Michael  Angelo  sculpts  for  the  future  ! 
Oh,    for  the   faith,    the  trust,   th*    impassioned 

thought 
Of  that  young  boy  !    And  who  am  I  that  craves  it  ? 
The  foul-fed  client  of  a  sorry  patron, 
Sporting  the  colors  of  despised  indulgence, 
While  Angelo  seeks  God  beyond  the  skies  ! 
O  Heaven!  something  in  me  says  I  too 
May  yet  do  work  worth  doing,  not  these  trifles  ! 
(^Inspirationally)  Too  late  !    Too  late  !     No  !     It 

is  not  too  late  ! 
Back  there  in  France,  is  not  my  Jupiter 
At  Fontainebleu  ?     Do  I  not  see  in  air 


82 THE   FLORENTINES 

This  very  instant  that  Andromeda 

Whose  beauty  fired  the  soul  of  Perseus  ? 

It  is  not  meant  that  I  must  die  a  goldsmith  ! 

Andromeda  !     There  is  your  work,  Cellini ! 

Let  nothing  stand  between  !  And  nothing  shall ! 
[He  starts  up  vigorously,  Fkdkriga 
watches  closely  as  he  grasps  a  tooly  only 
to  throw  it  down  in  disgust. 

A  miserable  piece  of  work !     I  must 

Have  better  model.     Did  I  give  a  promise  ? 

I'll  keep  it  to  its  letter,  but  no  more. 

Marsilio  would  never  know  the  difference. 

In  any  case,  I  do  not  ask  her  here.. 

There  at  the  palace  is  the  aim  I  need — 

Yes,  and  the  form  divine  !     I'll  go  at  once  ! 

[CKiyi/iNi  rushes  out, 

Fkdkriga 

An  arm,  a  form  divine  !     Whom  has  he  found  ? 
I  thought  there  was  another  !     Who  is  she  ? 
**  There  at  the  Palace  !  "     Riccio  will  know — 
That  fool ! 

[Enter  ^iCClOy  i<.  2.  E. 


THE  FLORENTINES  83 

Riccio 
Ah,  lovely  Federiga  !     What 
Has  happened?    See,  your  cheeks  are  like  two 

roses, 
Your  eyes  like  sparkling  gems.     Your  brow — 

Fkdkriga  {tartly) 
You  are  all  words  ! 

Riccio 

You  wrong  me,  Federiga  ! 
Reward  me  with  a  kiss.     Is  this  not  beautiful  ? 

[Showing  her  a  bracelet, 

Fkdkriga 
A  kiss  for  that!    Twice  dear  at  twenty  soldi ! 
All  gilt — an  imitation.     Fool  me  !     Humph  \ 

Riccio 
You  scorn  my  gift  ?     Well,  there  are  other  girls 
In  Florence  for  Francesco  Riccio 
To  kiss  without  the  giving  of  a  present. 
Some  day  this  braggadocio,  Cellini, 
Will  change  his  humor  and  show  you  the  door. 

Fkderiga 
As  I  show  it  to  you.     No;  what's  the  use  ? 


84 THE    FlyORENTlNES 

You're  a  tiresome  fool.     'Tis  not  your  fault. 
Nature  made  you  one.     You  may  give  it  to  me. 

\_Takes  the  bracelet. 
The  kiss  !     Some  day,  perhaps.     Not  now.     Be- 
ware! 
Cellini  says  you  are  a  noisy  idiot. 
He  may  return  and  thrash  you. 

Riccio. 

Devil  take  him! 
Aye!  he  will  take  him,  and  that  very  soon. 

Pederiga 
What  do  you  mean  ? 

Riccio 
First  answer,  do  you  love  him  ? 

Federiga 
Love  him!     No,  the  villain!     Even  now 
He  talks  of  a  new  model  at  the  Palace  ! 
Fool  tho*  you  be,  you're  right.     He's  thro'  with 
me. 

Riccio 
A  model  at  the  Palace  ?     Can  it  be 
This  rascal  thinks  of  I^ady  I^onora  ? 


THE  iE^tORENTINES 85 

Fedkriga 
Of  whom  ?     He  surely  does  not  think  of  her  ! 

Riccio 
Whom  else  ?    There  is  no  other  there  who  can 
Compare  with  you,  my  angel  Federiga  ! 

Fkdkriga 
You  have  more  sense,  Francesco,  than  I  thought. 
Suppose  I  go  with  you.     What  kind  of  treat- 
ment 
Shall  I  receive  ? 

Riccio 
I'll  beg  and  steal  for  you! 
\_Some  one  is  heard  approaching. 

Fedkriga 
His  step!     Go  quickly!     He's  coming!     Go  ! 

{Rushing  to  window^  i,.  3.     Exit  Riccio, 
hurriedly,  i,.  2.  K. 
They  do  not  meet.     Good  luck  for  Riccio! 

{Enter  CKI.LINI,  i..  2.  K. 

CKI.1.INI  {excitedly) 
I  must  be  crazy,  hurrying  at  this  hour 
To  pester  Cosimo.     I  need  a  rest. 


86 THE    FLORENTINES 

(To  Federigd)  What    are  you  doing  here?    I 
bade  you  go. 

Fkd^riga 
You  did  not  mean  that  I  should  stay  away  ? 

Make  no  mistake  in  that.     I'm  done  with  you. 

FlSDERIGA 

You're  done  with  me  !     Do  you  mean  done  for 

good 
With  me!    You  said  that  you  would  make  me 

famous! 

CEI.I.INI 
Is  it  my  fault  ?     How  can  I  make  you  great  ? 
Impossible!     Go  you  to  Bandinello. 
You're  fit  to  be  his  model.     Say  Cellini 
Presents  you,  with  his  compliments. 

Federiga 

Cellini! 
Do  not  forget  that  Federiga,  who 
Has  a  poor  arm — bad  figure! — has  a  heart! 
And    hearts  can  hate,  sometimes,  where  they 
have  loved. 


THE   FivORBNTlNES 87 

CKlyLINI 

Well,  don't  go  hungry.     Eat  before  you  go. 

As  for  myself,  I  need  an  hour  of  sleep. 

Let    no    one    trouble    me.     Go    when    you're 

through  ! 

[Cki.i<ini  enters  rear  room, 

Fedkriga 
So  I  may  eat  before  I  go!     And  this 
Is  all  the  pay  that  Federiga  gets 
For  being  slave  and  model  to  Cellini ! 
Am  I  a  dog,  that  he  should  bid  me  go  ? 
And  where  ?    To  Bandinello  !     To  his  rival ! 

\An  idea  strikes  her. 
To  Riccio!     When  I  have  loved  Cellini ! 

[Shaking  Jist  at  rear  room. 
The  devil   with   all    men!     I    hate   you!   hate 

you  ! 
If  I  could  kill  you  !     Marry  Riccio 
When  I  have  been  his  model  !     Federiga, 
Don't  be  a  fool !     That  Riccio  has  money. 

\She  perceives   a   ring  on    the  table    and 
grasps  it. 
And  so  has  Federiga!     'Tis  the  stone 


88 THE    FLORENTINES 

The  Duke  means  for  the  Pope!     How  beautiful ! 

I  wonder  what  it's  worth.     I'll  go  away, 

Far  off,  where  no  one  knows,  and  there  I'll 

sell  it! 
What  will  they  do  to  him  ?    You  would  beat  me' 
Tell  me  you're  done  with  me,  and  take 
The  lady  at  the  Palace  in  my  stead! 

[Enter  Marsilio,  i..  2.  k.     Ske  hides  ring 
in  her  dress  and  hoks  confused, 

MARSiiyiO 
Where' s  Benvenuto  ? 

Fkdkriga  {nervously) 

You  must  not  disturb  him  ; 
He  is  asleep,  and  must  not  be  awakened 
By  any  one,  he  said. 

Marsii<io  (producing  a  letter  from  his  cloak) 
It  is  as  well. 
When  he  awakes,  tell  him  that  I  desire 
This  note  be  given  I^ady  I^eonora, 
And  that  for  this  new  favor  once  again 
I  stand  the  debtor  to  his  loyal  friendship. 


THE    FI^ORENTINES  89 

Oh,  yes.     And  add  that  I  may  be  away 
Some  fifty  days,  altho'  it  may  be  less. 

Federiga 
The  Lady  Leonora!     Oh,  tell  me, 
Messer  Marsilio,  is  she  the  one 
Who  takes  my  place  ? 

MARSIIylO 

Who  takes  your  place!     What  mean  you? 
Federiga 
He  told  me  I  must  go.     He  says  that  I 
Shall  pose  no  more  for  his  Andromeda. 
He  thinks  out  loud,  and  I  just  heard  him  say 
A  Palace  lady  has  the  arm  and  figure 
He  needs,  and  you  would  never  know  about  it. 

MARSIIylO 

Is't  possible?     Can  he  plan  in  my  absence 
To  win  consent  ?     By  Heaven !  he  answers  me 
Before  I  go — 

Federiga  {frightened^ 
He  must  not  be  awakened, 
Messer  Marsilio!     Believe  me  not. 
I  spoke  in  spite  because  he  bade  me  go. 


90  THE    FLORENTINES 

MARSIIvIO 

Yet  how  know  you — 

[Enter  a  soldier^  x,.  2.  E. 

S01.DIKR 

Messer  Marsilio, 
Five  hundred  men,  by  order  of  the  Duke, 
Wait  your  commands.     His  Excellency  said 
We  would  start  out  ere  Florence  wakes  and  notes 
The  facfl  of  our  departure. 

Marsilio 

I  must  go  ! 
[To  Fkdbriga,  handing  her  a  letter. 
Give  it  to  him,  and  say  Marsilio, 
His  friend,  trusts  all  to  friendship  ! 

(  To  Soi<dier)  Come  ! 
[Exit  MARS11.10  a;Mr  SoiyDiKR,  I..  2.  K. 
Fkdkriga  (^shaking  her  fist  at  rear  room) 
He  loves  her  !     You  are  back  at  your  old  tricks. 
Before  me  there  were  others,  after  me — 
You  go  to  prison  !     Done  with  Federiga  ! 

[  Takes  ring  from  her  bosom. 
And  I  have  here  perhaps  five  thousand  ducats  ! 
What  noise  is  that  ?     I  must  see  Riccio, 


THE   FLORENTINES 91 

And  find  a  place  to  hide  myself  from  him 

\Looks  out  of  the  window. 
Until  I  can  leave  Florence.     The  Bargello  ! 
Come  for  Cellini  !     Ah,  this  gives  me  time  ! 

[She  rushes  out  of  the  room.  A  great  noise 
and  confusion  at  outer  door,  Cki^WNI 
enters  workshop  from  rear  room^  sword 
in  hand. 

CEI.LINI  {angnly) 

What  in  the  devil's  name  !     Here  !     Federiga  ! 
Didn't  I  say — where  is  that  girl  ?     Oh,  yes, 
She's  gone  !     And  now  I  need  her  !    Benvenuto, 
You  were  a  fool  to  lose  that  girl !     Well,  who 
Are  you  that  thunders  !     Come  in.     You've  been 

drinking  ! 

[Opens  door.     Bargkli.0  and  retinue  enter ^ 
X.  2.  B. 
Ha,  the  Bargello ! 

BARGEI.1.0 

You  must  come,  Cellini. 
Make  no  resistance.     I  have  twenty  here. 


92 THE   FI^ORENTINES 

CKI.LINI  {apparently  pleased^ 
Twenty  !     He  deems  that  many  requisite 
To  take  Cellini !     Well,  no  doubt  it  would. 

[Saluting  profoundly, 
Messer  Vittorio,  you  do  me  honor  ! 

BARGBLI.O  {severely) 
And  Florence  equal  service. 

CKiyiyiNi  (Jn  mock  humility) 
Who  am  I 
That  you  should  come  to  call  with  such  an  escort, 
And  at  a  time  when,  most  unfortunately, 
{Severely)  I  am  too  busy  to  give  you  attention  ! 
[Approaching  table  and  picking  up  a  file. 

BARGELLO 

An  end  to  jesting!     You  must  come  with  us. 
Complaint  is  lodged  that  you  have  nearly  killed — 

CEIvUNI 

A  rascal,  who  apparently  intended 

To  take  my  life  !     'Twas  dark.     The  road  was 

narrow. 
I  bade  him  move  aside.     His  weapon  flashed; 


THE   FI^ORENTINES  93 

Mine  was  the  quicker — down  he  went.     I  ran — 
'Tis  seldom  one  of  these  Sicilian  scoundrels 
Attacks  without  a  dozen  rogues  at  hand. 

Bargki.i*o 
It  was  reported  different.     However, 
The  truth  comes  out  in  court,  hereafter.     This 
Is  not  the  place. 

CELI.INI  (^authoritatively) 

But  there  will  be  no  other — 
At  any  rate  at  present.     Can't  you  see 
I  am  engaged  on  work  of  great  importance  ? 

BARGKI.I.O 

It  matters  not.     Our  business  is  more  urgent. 

CEI.I.INI  {mockingly) 
To  bother  honest  men  is  more  important 
Than  to  complete  a  present  for  the  Pope  ! 

\All  bow  reverently. 
I  cannot  trouble  with  such  stupid  men  ! 
Begone  !     Messer  Vittorio,  I  gave  you 
Credit  for  better  sense  !     I  was  mistaken. 


94 THE  FI.ORENTINES 

BARGKI.I.O  {manifestly  impressed) 
And  have  you  really  been  engaged  upon 
Work  for  His  Holiness  ? 

CEI.I.INI 

Have  I  not  said  so  ? 
Here  is  the  proof — a  ring.    Where  did  I  place  it  ? 
I  had  it  here — yes,  here.     And — then  I  went — 

[Startled,  excited. 
To  sleep  !     Where  is  it  ?    Who  could  have  been 

here? 
Bargello  !      Scour    this    place !      I  have    been 

robbed ! — 
A  stone  worth  fifty  thousand  ducats  gone  ! 

BARGKiviyO  {skeptically) 
This  time  a  thief!    The  man  you  tried  to  murder 
Was  an  assassin  ! 

CEI.I.INI 

Fool!     You're  wasting  time. 
Pursue  the  thief  !     I  shall !    Stand  back,  I  say  1 

Bargki.i<o 
Think  you  I  am  so  simple  ?     Close  around  him  ! 
He  lies  about  the  stone.     Do  not  resist ! 


THE   FLORENTINES 95 

I  represent  the  Law  you  have  offended 
A  hundred  times — too  often  just  by  once. 

Cei^LINI  (^snatches  up  his  sword) 
In  God's  name,  man,  quit  talking  !     If  that  ring 
Is  not  recovered,  then  Duke  Cosimo 
Will  have  you  flogged.     My  honor  is  at  stake  ! 

\Forces  way  through  crowd  and  gains  door. 
You  know  this  blade!   He  dies  who  bars  Cellini ! 

\Rushes  out^  i,.  2.  K. 


CURTAIN 


96  THE   FLORENTINES 


ScBNK  II. — A  room  in  the  Palace  of  the  Duke. 
Folding-door  at  rear.  Couch  on  right,  near 
center. 

Discovered :  The  DuKE  resting  on  the  couch,  while 
Riccio  busies  himself  in  attendance  upon  him,. 
As  curtain  rises  a  tumult  is  heard  without 
{rear),  and  then  CKiylyiNi's  voice  rings  out 
clearly. 

CBLI.INI  {from  without) 
Justice,  my  Lord ! 

Duke 
Cellini  wants  more  money  ! 
The  man's  a  nuisance  ! 

Riccio 

Far  worse  than  the  plague! 
You  are  not  well,  illustrious  signore. 
Permit  me  to  remind  you,  your  physician 
Insists  upon  your  perfedl  rest. 

Duke 

Just  so. 

[Cei<i<ini  rushes  in,  followed  by  Bargei<i.o 
and  others  from  rear,  E. 
What  means  this  noisy  entry,  Benvenuto? 


THE  FIvORENTlNES  97 

Cki.i,ini 
Justice  !     I  call  for  justice  !     Noble  Duke, 
This  fool  of  a  Bargello  interferes 
With  my  free  movements  ! 

DuKK  {irritably) 

Doubtless  for  good  cause! 
There  must  be    peace    in    Florence,    and    you 

brawlers 
Must  be  restrained. 

Cki^LINI  {in  aggrieved  tone) 

My  lord,  what  have  I  done 
To  forfeit  your  regard  ? 

DuKK  {petulantly) 

Here  in  my  Palace, 
Where  princes  tread  respedlf ully,  you  dare. 
Insolent  braggart  that  you  are,  to  shout 
And  bear  yourself  as  if  you  did  not  know 
Your  master's  residence  and  of  his  illness. 

Cki<LINI  {deferentially) 
Your  Excellency  is  not  well  ?     My  deep. 
Sincere  regret!     If  I  might  recommend 
A  remedy,  my  lord,  'tis  that  you  banish 


98 THE   FLORENTINES 

This  Riccio,  whose  face  is  irritation 

Enough  to  Health  to  bring  us  back  the  Plague. 

DUKK 

Silence!    Bargello,  what  does  all  this  mean? 

BARGKI.I.O 

Duke  Cosimo,  this  scamp,  who  is  perpetual 
Menace  to  peace,  has  stabbed  a  man,  a  stranger, 
Whose  friends,  particularly  Bandinello, 
Insist  that  he  be  punished.     For  this  reason 
Cellini  was  arrested.     But  as  he 
Declares  there  is  a  matter  of  importance 
He  must  reveal  to  you,  I've  brought  him  hither, 
For  I  did  think  that  there  might  be,  perhaps, 
Some  truth  in  his  assertion,  noble  Duke. 

DuKK  {regarding  Cellini  unpleasantly) 
Which  means  that  you  want  what  ? 

Cki*i*ini  {artfully) 

Justice,  my  lord! 
The  man,  who  now  appears  so  closely  bound 
To  Bandinello  that  he  stands  his  sponsor, 
At  dusk,  and  from  behind,  and  with  no  warning, 
Tho'  not  legitimately  foe  of  mine, 


THE   FLORENTINES 99 

Being  a  man  I  never  saw  before, 
Marked  Bandinello's  hate  upon  my  skin. 
I  turned,  and  as  a  warning  to  assassins 
(^Insidiously)  I  gave  that  thrust  I  promised  to 

teach  you. 
Is  it  a  crime  to  strike  in  self-defense  ? 
And  should  not  the  Bargello  be  reproved 
For  troubling  both  of  us  ? 

DuKK 

You  argue  well — 

Provided  that  the  fadls  are  as  you  say. 
( To  Bargello)  Do  you  investigate.     The  mean- 
time we 
Would  have  you  put  your  mind,  good  Benvenuto, 
Upon  the  ring. 

Cki^i^ini  (^looking  down^  but  watching  the  DuKiS 
from  the  corner  of  his  eye) 

'Tis  there,  my  lord,  I  suffered 
The  most  from  his  stupidity.     Exhausted 
By  my  long  hours  of  most  patient  labor, 
Sleep  claimed  me  for  a  moment.     I  awoke 
To  hear  these  fellows  storming  at  my  door. 


loo  THE   FLORENTINES 

The  ring  was  gone!  I  bade  them  seek  the  thief. 
They  scoffed!  Alone,  without  a  clew,  I  hurried 
Into  the  street — 

DuKK  (anxiously) 

And  you  recovered  it  ? 
You  did  not  lose  that  stone  worth  forty  thousand 
Ducats ! 

CELI.INI  (contritely) 
With  fifty  men  they  captured  me 
Ere  I  could  trace  and  wrest  it  from  the  thief  ! 

DUKK 

Mean  you  to  say,  Cellini,  it  is  lost  ? 

Riccio 
The  man  himself  may  easily  have  hidden  it  I 

Cellini  (angrily) 
You  villain  !     Do  you  dare  besmirch  Cellini ! 
Draw  and  defend — 

[Drawing  his  sword, 
DuKK 

Seize  him,  Bargello  1 
Your  insults  to  our  person  go  beyond 
The  limit  of  our  patience*     We  require 


THE    FLORENTINES  loi 

Two  things  of  you,  Cellini,  and  at  once  : 
Apology  to  Riccio — the  ring  1 

Cki.i*ini  (with  quiet  dignity) 
Behind  you,    my   lord   Duke,  there  stands  the 

strength 
Of  Florence  to  enforce  your  will.     Behind 
Cellini  is  his  innocence — and  justice! 
The  man  (hotly)  who  dares  asperse  my  honor  is 
A  villain,    tho'    (deferentially)  in   my  desire   to 

please 
My  well-loved  lord,  I  might  withdraw  the  word. 
(Sadly)  As  for  the  ring,  'tis  gone,  I  know  not 

where. 

And  with  it  gone  the  honor  of  Cellini, 

To  whom  it  was  entrusted,  unless  he 

Recover  it — (with  conviction)  which  he  will  surely 

do! 

Riccio 

Bold  words  !     But  sound  they  not  like  subter- 
fuge? 
My  lord,  he  has  the  ring  I 

DUKB 

Cellini,  you 


102 THE   FLORENTINES 

Are  lost  unless  that  diamond  shall  be  found 
Before  the  Legate  of  the  Pope  departs. 
So  that  I  need  not  pass  upon  your  guilt, 
I  grant  these  twenty  days. 

CEI.I.INI 

You  have  the  ring  ! 
Think,    Benvenuto,    think !     Could    one    have 

come — 
My  lord,  I  have  a  clew  ! 

Riccio 

Does  he  go  free  ? 

DuKK. 
We  do  not  think  the  ring*s  recovery 
Demands  your  freedom,  Benvenuto. 
Send  where  you  will,  but  3^ou  yourself  remain 
Under  arrest,  our  prisoner,  at  the  Palace. 

CEI.I.INI 

Arrest !     You  mean  I  am  considered  guilty 
Of  theft !     Cellini  called  a  thief  !     If  ever 
I  have  sinned,  this  is  my  punishment ! 
France  begs  my    presence,    Florence    calls  me 
thief! 


THE   FI.ORENTINES  103 


Fool  that  I  was  to  come  here.    (^Boldly)  Give  jme 

pen! 
A  line  to  Francis  how  they  treat  Cellini ! 
Word  to  the  Pope  that  one  whom  he  has  honored 
Is  called  a  thief  by  Cosimo  of  Florence  ! 

DuK^  (manifestly  impressed) 
Friend  Benvenuto,  how  that  pride  of  yours 
Blinds  you  to  consequences!     Well,  you  artists 
Cannot  be  judged  as  others.     You  have  nearly 
Killed  a  friend,  'tis  said,  of  Bandinello's. 
This  must  be  punished,  or  no  law  in  Florence  ! 
As  for  the  ring,  Bargello,  take  his  orders. 
Search  where  he  bids  you.     In  the  meanwhile 

you 
Remain  our  prisoner.     I^eave  us  alone. 

\Exeunt  all  but  Dukk  and  CK1.1.INI,  rear. 
Send  for  what  tools  you  need.     Here   at  the 

Palace 
A  room  will  be  provided  for  your  work. 

Cei,i,ini 
My  lord,  I  really  thought  you  were  in  earnest. 
But  for  the  ring,  my  joy  would  be  complete. 


I04 THE   FLORENTINES 

Heaven,  which  always  favors  Benvenuto, 
Will  surely  cause  the  capture  of  the  thief — 
{Joyfully)  While  I  shall  work  upon  Andromeda! 

DuKK  (coldly) 
What's  that? 

Cki*i.ini  (anxiously) 

Has  not  the  lady  given  her  consent  ? 

DUKK. 
Oh,  you  mean  Leonora  !    You  forget 
The  stone  must  first  be  set.     The  ring  is  lost. 
You  say — 

CKI.I.INI 
I  say!     My  lord,  you  do  not  doubt  it? 

DuKK 
Let  that  be  as  it  may.     Just  now  the  Duchess 
Gives  me  no  peace.   She  would  have  you  engaged 
Upon  a  bracelet  that  she  wants.     If  you 
Are  wise,  you  will  work  zealously  upon  it. 

CEI.I.INI  {greatly  disappointed) 
I  may  not  see  the  Lady  Leonora  ? 

DUKB 

Talk  of  no  statues  till  the  ring  is  found. 


THE   FI^ORENTINES 105 

Give  me  your  word  you  will  not  leave  the  Palace, 
And  you  may  stay  here  rather  than  in  prison. 

CKI.1.INI 
I  give  my  promise. 

\^The  DuKB  regards  Cm.^1^1  questioningly. 
The  latter  meets  the  look  boldly, 

DUKK 

Then  await  you  here 
The  Duchess,  and  obey  her  in  all  things  ! 

\Exit  Duke.   Cki^WNi's  expression  changes 
to  one  of  contempt, 

Cki^LINI 
A  politician,  and  they  call  him  statesman! 
And  I  must  bow  and  cringe  and  say  *'  my  lord," 
And  know  he  thinks  me  guilty  in  his  heart. 
Where  is  that  ring  ?     I  had  it  ere  I  slept. 
Who  could  have  taken  it  ?     Not  Federiga! 
IVe  tempted  her  a  thousand  times!     She  loves 

me! 
Bandinello  ?    No ;  'tis  hate  that  hints  it. 
How  could  he  have  been  there,  or  any  hireling  ? 


io6 THE   FLORENTINES 

Marsilio!     He  left  before  I  slept! 
Then  how  found  I  the  letter  for  the  Lady  ? 
He  came  back!     Who  is  this  Marsilio  ? 
The  Prince  of  Perombino  ?     How  do  I 
Know  that  he  spoke  the  truth  in  this  ?     He  came 
To  me  a  total  stranger.     I  believed 
And  asked  no  proof.     I  trusted  voice  and  eye. 
Has  he  deceived  me  ?     Did  he  take  the  ring  ? 
He  must  be  followed!     No!     I  love  that  boy! 
If  he  spoke  truth,  and  goes  to  Perombino, 
*Twould  mean  his  ruin!     Did  he  take  the  ring? 
[Enter  DuCHBSS  and  Lady  LKONORA,  rear. 

Duchess 
At  last,  my  lord  declares,  you  have  some  time 
To  place  at  my  behest,  Messer  Cellini. 

LKONORA  {jestingly) 
And  may  I  hope  some  moments  are  reserved 
For  me  as  well,  your  Highness  ? 

CKI.I.INI  {to  Leonora) 

My  one  hope 
Is  to  contribute  in  your  name  to  Art. 


THE   FI^ORENTINES 107 

DUCHKSS 

If  you  would  hold  my  favor,  make  fOx  me 
Some  trifles  I  have  wanted  long.     A  ring 
To  wear  upon  the  little  finger.     Also 
A  pendant,  something  novel,  for  a  ruby — 
Oh,  yes,  and  then  I  want  a  brooch  designed 
Quite  different  from  all  others.     And  a  vase! 
Use  little  gold  and  much  of  skill,  Cellini, 
To  make  it  look  pretentious.     'Tis  a  present 
For  one  of  my  best  friends!    When  this  is  done — 

Cki*i.ini  iin  mock  politeness) 
Signora,  I  would  stand  upon  my  head 
Three  hours  or  more  the  while  my  eloquence 
Were  full  employed  to  pay  the  tribute  due 
Your  worth,  if  it  would  give  you  any  pleasure  ; 
(  Warming  up)  But  to  devote  the  time  required  to 

do 
This  goldsmithing — the  work  of  artisan — 
When  all  my  soul  is  stirred  to  make  a  statue 
Worthy  of  genius  such  as  Heaven  has  granted 
Cellini,  is  a  punishment,  my  I^ady. 
Why,  there  at  Fontainebleu,  King  Francis  said: 
* '  Behold,  how  I  have  brought  from  Italy 


io8  THE    FLORENTINES 

The  greatest  man  who  ever  lived,  endowed 
With  all  the  talents."     Truly  so  spoke  Francis! 

DUCHKSS 

And  these  fine  words,  Cellini,  mean,  do  they, 
You  will  not  do  my  bidding  ? 

Good  Signora, 
I  do  but  plead  for  time  to  work  upon 
Andromeda.     'Twas  promised  that  this  lady 
Would  aid — ^had  not  the  ring  been  stolen  from  me! 

[Leonora  looks  surprised, 

DuCHKSS 
Methinks  you  choose  a  poor  time  to  offend 
Those  high  in  power! 

CEI.I.INI  {deferentially) 

My  gracious  lady,  I 
Live  but  to  please  you  !     Let  me  send  for  one 
Who  works  about  my  shop — 

Duchess 

Ah  I    Then  you  promise 
My  ring,  my  brooch,  my  pendant,  and  my  vase, 
And — I  forgot  before — I  want  a  seal 


THE   FLORENTINES  109 

Bearing  the  arms  of  Medici,  of  course. 
Now  these  and  all  of  them  you  promise  me 
Within  four  days — or  will  you  make  it  three  ? 

Cei^i^ini  {exasperated) 
'*  Within  four  days — or  will  I  make  it  three  ! '' 
Your  Grace  may  have  them  in  a  single  hour — 
Provided  Ochus  Bochus  shows  me  how. 
Pray  have  him  hastily  recalled  to  life, 
That  he  may  teach  me  magic. 

Duchess 

You  refuse  me  ! 

Leonora 
Dear  friend,  Cellini  does  not  mean  offense. 
You  know  he  is  an  artist.     I  am  sure 
If  you  will  leave  us  here  alone,  I  can 
Secure  his  word  to  execute  your  order. 

Duchess  {petulantly) 
I  never  have  success  with  him.     You  try  ! 
Were  I  the  Duke  I'd  have  him  flogged  !     {Be- 
seechingly) Persuade  him  ! 

[Exit  Duchess,  rear. 


no THE  FLORENTINES 

lyKONORA  {archly^ 
Messer  Cellini,  I  am  well  disposed 
Toward  you  ! 

CeI/IvINI  (^seriously) 
Heaven,  I  thank  thee  for  my  talents! 

LEONORA 

Why  are  you  here  and  treated  as  a  prisoner  ? 

CKI.I.INI 

I  wounded  an  assassin  !     Great  offense  ! 
The  real  cause  !     A  stone  entrusted  to  me 
Is  lost — stolen  by  some  one  while  I  slept. 
The  Duke  holds  me  responsible.     Cellini, 
{Bitterly)  Regarded  with  suspicion  ! 

Leonora  {warmly') 

I  am  certain 

That  you  are  innocent.     Marsilio 

Told  me  Cellini  risks  his  life  for  honor. 

Cellini 
He  said  that  !     Ha!   a  splendid  boy  !     I  felt  it ! 

Leonora 
He  bears  himself  so  proudly,  your  apprentice  ! 
Tell  me  where  does  he  come  from  ?     Who  is  he? 


THE    FLORENTINES  in 

CEI.I.INI 

That,  lady,  is  a  secret  I  must  keep. 

lyKONORA 

A  secret  !     How  mysterious  !     Is  lie 
Of  such  importance,  then  ? 

CEItI^INI 

You  wish  him  well  ? 

Leonora 
Why  not  ?    Should  not  one  wish  the  best  for  all  ? 

CEiviyiNi  {as  if  soliloquizing) 
And  yet  he  came  back  while  I  was  asleep  ! 
Or  how  did  this  arrive  ? 

[Handling  the  letter  left  by  Marsii^io. 

Leonora 

More  mystery  ? 

CEI.I.INI  (^soliloquizes  to  be  overheard) 
A  stranger,  no  credentials,  that  boy  came 
To  Florence,  met  me,  and  I  trusted  him. 

Leonora  {warmly) 
He  has  the  power  to  inspire — friendship  ! 


112  THE    FLORENTINES 

Cellini 
That  truly  !     Heaven  grant  it  was  not  he 
Who  took  the  ring. 

Lkonora  {startled) 

Do  you  suspedl  Marsilio  ? 

Celltni 
What  shall  I  answer  ?     Could  my  eyes  be  blinded 
To  fadls  that  have  but  one  significance, 
My  love  would  do  it.     Yet  try  as  it  may, 
They  stand  in  bold  relief  before  me.     Lady, 
Against  their  cursed  import  I  must  raise 
One  sole  weak  barrier — what  I  know  of  him, 
And  that  on  his  own  words  alone. 

Leonora 

And  I 

Know  only  that  his  soul  is  in  his  face — 

That  soul  a  pure  and  high  one!     That  his  honor 

Suffers  no  stain !      A  woman's  intuition 

Scorns  fadls  and  circumstances,  leaps  to  truth — 

And  by  it  I  affirm  his  innocence! 

Cellini 
He  has  affirmed  himself  of  princely  rank. 


THE   FLORENTINES  113 

IvKONORA 

I  guessed  aright!     Then  it  is  true,  he  is! 
And  being  so  he  stands  beyond  temptation. 
Your  doubt  requires  evidence.     'Tis  here! 

CkIvWNI 
A  woman's  reasoning!     But  I,  my  lady, 
Have  looked  on  faces  that  deceive  before. 
Believe  me,  there  are  mirrors  that  refle<5l 
Only  the  noblest,  customary  thoughts, 
Yet  from  the  depths  may  suddenly  arise. 
Conjured  by  swift  temptation,  impulses 
That  cast  no  shadow  while  they  slept  beneath. 

Lkonora 
Suspicion  ever  seeks  to  justify 
Its  wrong  by  reference  to  experience! 

CK1.1.INI 
Would  that  I  had  your  faith!     Yet  should  I  fail 
To  follow  now  the  only  clew  I  have — 
For  every  indication  points  to  him — 
The  time  allowed  to  me  will  quickly  pass 
With  no  advantage  gained.     And  then  Cellini 


114 THE  FLORENTINES 

Must  face — who  knows  what  peril  ?     While  his 

name, 
Honored  'til  now,  stands  branded  with  vile  theft. 

Leonora 
Cellini,  he  is  innocent!     Believe  me! 
You  must  not  point  suspicion  toward  Marsilio. 

CEI^IylNI 

Whom  else,  if  not  Marsilio  ?     I  have 

No  other  clew.     My  freedom  is  at  stake — 

Nay,  more,  my  honor.     I  must  find  the  ring! 

Leonora 
What  is  it  worth  ?     My  purse  is  at  your  service. 

CEiviyiNi  (^aside) 
She  loves  him  well — that  boy ! 

(  To  Leonora)  Your  offer,  lady, 
Is  generous  indeed,  but  I  cannot ' 
Propose  to  pay  for  it  and  in  effect 
Confess  to  guilt.     I  need  the  ring,  not  money. 

Leonora  (^anxiously) 
What  reasons  gave  Marsilio  for  departure  ? 


THE   FLORENTINES  115 

CK1.1.INI 
Political.     This  must  not  be  divulged! 
If  he  spoke  truth,  disclosure  now  means  ruin. 

lyKONORA  {beseechingly^ 
Then  you  will  say  no  more  of  him  at  present  ? 

CK1.1.INI  {slowly^ 
My  lyady  I^eonora,  if  I  should, 
In  deference  to  your  wishes,  hold  my  peace, 
Nor  call  attention  to  MarsiHo, 
And  risk  all  on  your  intuition,  will 
You  give  Cellini  opportunity 
To  gain  a  fame  hereafter  that  will  balance 
Present  dishonor  of  his  name  in  Florence  ? 

Lkonora 
How  can  I  do  it  ? 

Cki*i<ini 

In  the  admiration 

Men  feel  for  genius  they  forget  the  man. 

Heaven  means  that  I  should  sculpt  Andromeda! 

I  need  a  model! 

lyKONORA 

Cellini,  do  not  speak! 


ii6 THE   FLORENTINES 

CKLI.INI  (^pleadingly') 
Only  your  arm,  my  lady.     Only  that! 
Show  me  the  arm.     The  rest  leave  to  my  skill! 

Leonora 
And  this  will  save  Marsilio  ? 

CKI.I.INI 

I  promise— 

Whether  he  has  the  ring  or  not! — I  promise! 

Leonora 

What  shall  I  tell  the  Duchess? 

CEI.I.INI 

Say  to  her 

The  work  that  she  wants  done  will  be  completed. 
The  service  you  do  Art  commands  my  zeal! 
The  bulk  of  it,  in  any  case,  my  workman 
Can  do  'neath  my  directions.     Tell  not  that! 
Lady,  remember  that  we  have  exchanged 
Our  promises! 

[Leonora  gives  him  her  hand.     His  eye  fol- 
lows the  lines  of  the  arm, 

Leonora 
And  I  am  still  your  debtor! 
Trust  me,  Messer  Cellini,  our  good  Duke 


THE   FLORENTINES  117 

Will  find  the  one  who  really  stole  the  ring. 

[Exit  Lkonora.  Enter  Da  Trotti  and 
ToREivW.  They  salute  Leonora  as 
she  passes  them. 

Da  Trotti 
A  devilish  fix,  good  Benvenuto!     How 
Can  I  assist?     My  means  are  at. your  service. 

TORKIvIvO 

And  mine,  no  less!    There  is  no  man  in  Florence 
I'd  sooner  swear  by! 

CE1.LINI 

Friends,  my  heart  is  full! 

Da  Trotti 
Keep  up  good  courage,  Benvenuto!     Surely 
A  day  or  two  will  bring  the  truth  to  light. 

CK1.1.INI 
I  think  it  will.     Well,  friends,  'tis  not  the  first 
Imprisonment  I've  known.     This  present  cell 
Is  comfortable.     You  will  bring  the  news 
And  hush  reports,  Da  Trotti,  by  our  friendship! 
Yes,  as  you  say,  a  day  or  two  will  bring 
The  truth  to  light!     Be  rid  of  care  for  me. 


ii8 THE   FI^ORENTINES 

You'll  leave  me  now — I  have  to  think,  you  see — 
Of  how  to  trace  the  thief .     No!     No!    I'll  do  it\ 

ToRKIvI.0 

Why,  let  us  help  you!      Tell  us  what  you  think. 
We'll  trace  the  fellow.     Will  we  not,  Da  Trotti ? 

Da  Trotti 
Ah,  that  we  will  I     We  old  ones  have  ideas. 

CELI.INI 
I  beg  of  you,  my  friends,  let  me  plan  all — 
(Humorouslj)  In  concert  with  my  good  friend 
the  Bargellc 


T0RK1.1.0 
But  we  can  do  a  little  work  in  secret  ? 

Cki.i*ini  (ear7testlj/) 
Torello,  as  you  love  me,  make  no  move  ! 
I^t  no  good  friend  of  mine  concern  himself 
In  this  !     It  is  my  matter.     I  know  how 
Cellini  wants  the  search  condudled  !     Nay, 
Be  not  offended  1     I  am  grateful,  truly  ! 
But  you  know  me  of  old — must  have  my  way  ! 


THE   FLORENTINES 119 

(^Shouting)  Ho,  guards  !     Bring  wine — the  best 

you  have — in  haste  ! 

[  Wine  is  hastily  brought  from  the  rear  rooM^ 
Friends,  we  will  drink — 

Da  Trotti 
Your  prompt  release  ! 

T0RKI.1.0 

Your  health  ! 

CKiviyiNi  {excitedly) 

No  !      Would  you  honor  me  ?     Then  drink  to 

Fame. 

(^Sadly)  Fame  for  Cellini,  cost  it  what  it  may! 


CURTAIN 


ACT    III 


SCKNE. — A  room  in  the  Palace  used  as  a  workshop 
by  CkIvLINI.  Furnishing  shows  much  regard 
for  comfort  as  well  as  elegance,  A  screen 
hides  couch,  etc, ,  in  left  comer. 

Discovered :  CKiyiviNi  enters,  and  stands  before  a 
small  wax  statue  of  Afidromeda,  covered  with 
cloths. 


CKI.I.INI  {pleased) 
Delightful  while  it  lasts  !     My  twenty  days 
Up  full  two  weeks  ago.     It  is  a  marvel 
How  Heaven  can  forgive  my  many  sins 
And  keep  such  watch  on  my  behalf  !     'Tis  fin- 
ished ! 
Only  in  wax — mere  model,  but  I  have  it ! 
{Enthusiastically)  When  Cosimo  is  well  enough 

to  talk 
I'll  beg  that  piece  of  marble  Bandinello 

[Enter  Da  Trotti,  u.  r.  k. 

Thinks  his  already — Welcome,  good  Da  Trotti ! 

123 


124  I'HE   FLORENTINES 

Da  Trotti 
My  Benvenuto,  is  there  in  all  Florence 
A  man  with  luck  like  yours  ?     Four  weeks  ago 
I  trembled  for  your  head.     To-day  I  find — 

CEI.I.INI 

Cellini,  wondering  if  another  hour 
Will  see  all  changed  !     The  Duke's  astrologer 
Tells  me  his  lordship  has  at  last  recovered 
From  his  long  illness — and  talks  of  that  ring  ! 
(^In  worried  tones)  And  none  too  kindly  of  my 
humble  self. 

Da  Trotti 
The  very  devil !     So  that  is  the  secret  ? 
Cosimo  ill  abed — Cellini  lords  it! 
The  Duke  recovered — quite  a  different  story  ! 

CEI.I.INI 

I  count  no  little  now  upon  the  favor 
Of  that  fool  Duchess,  who,  for  all  her  boasting 
Of  love  of  Art,  can  never  tell  the  difference — 
A  lucky  thing  for  me  ! — between  the  work 
I  do  myself  and  that  of  my  best  workman. 


THE   FLORENTINES 125 

Da  TroTTi  {laughing) 
He  does  the  work  and  you  devote  your  time — 

CKI.LINI  {proudly) 
To  Art!     Not  trinkets  for  a  silly  woman. 
Behold  my  model  for  the  masterpiece 
Which  makes  you  famous — as  Cellini's  friend! 
[Da  TroTTi  looks  at  the  wax  models  par- 
tially removing  cloths. 

Da  Trotti 
Magnificent !     What  symmetry  !     Wherever 
Did  you  find  woman  with  a  form  so  perf edl  ? 
I  swear  to  you  in  all  of  my  experience 
I  never  have  beheld  the  like  !     Who  is  it  ? 

[Servant  enters  u.  R.  ^. 

Servant  {announcing) 
The  Prince  of  Perombino  I 

[Enter  Marsii^io,  u.  r.  K. 

'Tis  Marsilio  ! 
He  comes  back  !     Then  he  must  be  innocent ! 


126 THE   FivORENTINES 

MARSllylO  {cordially^ 
How  comes  it,  Benvenuto,  you  have  moved 
Your  workshop  to  the  Palace  ?     On  the  streets 
I  hear  all  sorts  of  rumors  of  Cellini — 
Some  say  a  guest,  some  say  a  prisoner, 
And  yet  no  one  to  tell  the  cause.     I  greet  you, 
In  any  case,  my  truest  and  best  friend. 

CKi^lyiNi  (^surveying  him  in  mock  admiration) 
So  you  are  I^ord  of  Perombino  now  ! 
Splendid,  Marsilio!     I  will  visit  you 
Some  day  when  I  am  needed  less  in  Florence. 

Da  Trotti 
You  are  the  youth  who  told  us  of  the  lady 
Upon  the  house-top!     *Twas  a  pretty  tale, 
And  graciously  you  told  it.     You  were  then 
My  friend's  apprentice,  now  a  prince  !     Indeed, 
This  must  be  politics!     I^et  me  depart 
And  tender  my  respedls  to  our  good  Duchess. 
Prince  of  Perombino,  congratulations! 

{Exit  Da  Trotti,  u.  r.  :^. 
CKlylylNl  {in  dispirited  tones) 
Marsilio,  I  can  deceive  such  fools 
As  old  Da  Trotti,  and  make  them  believe 


THE   FLORENTINES  127 

My  heart  the  merriest  in  Florence.     You,  lad, 
Are  far  too  dear  to  me  for  that.     To  you 
I  say.  Art  fails  !     My  spirit's  broken  ! 

MARSI1.10 
Dear  Benvenuto,  all  is  mystery! 

Cki.i<ini 
The  night  you  left,  that  diamond  the  Duke 
Placed  in  my  hands  to  set,  a  stone  that's  worth 
Some  twenty  thousand  ducats,  disappeared. 
He  dares  suspedt  my  honor  ! 

MARSII.10 

Yours,  Cellini! 
This  is  incredible  ! 

Cellini 

But  none  less  true  ! 
I  cannot  even  guess  who  might  have  taken  it. 
My  time  for  search  is  up.     Well,  I  have  done 
Something  at  least  to  count  against  the  loss 
Of  my  good  name  !     There,  boy,  I  have  in  wax 
What  will,  in  marble,  stand  a  monument 
To  me  when  both  of  us  are  dust.     Behold  ! 


128  THE   FI.ORENTINES 

Andromeda  ! — great  Heaven,  I  forgot ! 

[Marsilio  drkws  the  wrappings  aside. 
He  throws  them  over  the  right  hand 
of  statue, 

Marsilio 
I  cannot  be  mistaken  !     It  is  she  ! 
That  perfe(5t  form  imprinted  on  my  mind 
There  in  the  sunlight !     And  that  faultless  arm  ! 

Ckluni 
Well,  do  you  think  Cellini  is  a  sculptor? 

Marsilio  {fiercely) 
I  think  him  a  false  friend,  a  lying  villain  ! 

Ckllini  {angrily) 
Art  mad,  boy,  that  you  hold  your  life  so  lightly  ? 
Withdraw  those  words  !     Not  even  you  may  say 

them ! 
I  tell  you,  boy  {pleadingly),  Marsilio,  withdraw 

them. 

Marsilio  {still  more  angrily) 
I  tell  you  draw  your  sword,  for  I  repeat  them! 


THE   FLORENTINES  129 

Traitor  !     I  trusted  you  !     There  is  the  proof 
Of  your  vile  perfidy  ! 

{Pointing  to  Andromeda. 

I  might  explain. 
But  is  my  honor  at  so  low  an  ebb 
That  I  must  thus  reply  to  insult  ?     Why 
{Aloud  to  himself)  It  would  be  death  for  him  to 

fight  with  me ! 
I  love  you,  boy!     I  will  explain. 

Marsii^io 

Think  not 

To  gloss  with  words  your  treason  to  our  friend- 
ship! 
I  should  have  known  how  you  regard  all  women ! 

CK1.1.INI 
I  swear,  boy,  she  is  true  to  you!    See,  I, 
Cellini,  who  have  never  trusted  woman, 
Will  testify  for  Lady  Leonora ! 

MARSIIylO 

There  is  the  evidence!     I  want  no  more! 
She  whom  I  would  have  sworn  the  loftiest 


I30  THE   FLORENTINES 

In  all  the  world,  the  model  of  Cellini! 

You  can  explain!     There  is  no  explanation! 

To-morrow  I  return  to  Perombino, 

No  more  the  trusting  boy,  for  I  have  learned 

How  false  a  friend  can  be — how  vile  a  woman! 

CEiyLiNi  (restraining  his  anger) 
When  you  have  learned  the  truth,  Marsilio, 
You  will  ask  pardon — aye,  from  both  of  us! 

Marsilio 
The  truth!     Where  can  the  truth  be  found? 
Five  weeks  ago  she  gave  her  troth  to  me. 
Softer  than  this  poor  wax  I  look  upon 
Must  be  the  modesty  that  melts  before 
The  flattery  and  cozening  words  of  one 
Who  dares  not  face  the  penalty  of  wrong! 

[Drawing  his  sword. 

Ckllini  (aloud  to  himself) 
Restrain  yourself  I     Remember,  Benvenuto, 
The  boy  is  young  and  cannot  guess  the  fadls! 
(^To  Marsilio)  Marsilio,  I  will  not  fight  with 
you! 


THE   FLORENTINES i3i_ 

Marsilio  (^approaches ^  about  to  strike  him) 
Coward!    Will  you  respond  to  this! 

{Enter  Duchess  and  Lkonora,  r.  u.  r.  :^. 

CEiyi^iNi 

The  ladies! 

f IvEONORA,  radiant,  looks  at  MARSII.10,  who 

avoids  her  eye  in  his  formal  salutation. 

DUCHKSS 

Benvenuto,  I  have  come  to  warn  you; 

My  lord  is  out  of  bed  and  in  a  rage. 

It  would  fare  badly  with  you  should  he  come 

And  not  find  you  engaged  on  work  for  me. 

Start  something  new — a  bracelet  with  four  Cupids 

Shooting  their  arrows  at  a  hundred  Gods! 

C^iyiyiNi  {in  half -veiled  sarcasm) 
My  lady,  future  ages  would  requite  you 
For  your  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Art — 
Should  I  work  out  such  marvelous  design! 
(^Pleasantly)    Permit  me  to   commend   to    your 

kind  favor 
The  Duke's  good  friend,  the  Prince  of  Perom- 

bino. 


132 THE   FLORENTINES 

Leonora 
Of  Perombino ! 

Duchess 
Welcome  to  our  Court, 
My  Lord  of  Perombino!     Leonora, 
Do  you  extend  our  hospitality 
To  our  new  guest  the  while  I  find  a  means 
To  gain  reprieve  for  this  enchanting  artist. 
Friend  Benvenuto,  will  you  sketch  the  bracelet  ? 
[Exii  Duchess  and  CEI.1.INI,  supplicating 
aid  from  Heaven  as  she  carries  him  off. 

Leonora  {joyfully) 
Marsilio !     I  knew  you  were  not  guilty ! 

Marsilio  {starting  back) 
Not  guilty !     I !     What  jest  is  this  ?     I  find 
The  man  I  trusted  perfidy  itself, 
The  woman  I  have  worshiped  but  poor  clay, 
And  then  am  told  I  am  not  guilty.     Oh! 
{Bitterly)  Indeed  I  am.     Guilty  of  a  blind  faith! 
Guilty  of  trusting  in  a  woman !     Guilty — 

Leonora  {anxiously) 
Surely  you  are  not  well,  Marsilio! 


^  or  THE 


133 


I  must  forgive  you.     You  have  traveled  far 
And  in  great  haste. 

MARSII.10  {bitterly) 

Aye,  thinking  to  greet  you 
With  news  of  my  new  circumstances.     What 
Was  Perombino  to  an  hour  with  her 
Who  seemed  the  brightest  star  of  all  that  lighted 
The  road  to  Florence!     I  come,  and  then  I  see 
How  she  beguiles  the  hours  of  my  absence! 

[Pointing  to  Andromeda, 

lyKONORA  (laughing) 
Is  that  the  cause  of  this  tirade  ?     I  thought 
Your  senses  had  departed!     You  are  jealous! 
A  little  jealousy  is  love's  best  proof! 
Again  I  do  forgive  you.     If  you  knew 
The  way  Cellini  won  permission,  you 
Would  speak  so  differently ! 

MARSIIvIO 

How  can  you  treat 
So  lightly  such  dishonor  ?     Do  not  shrink 
And  gaze  at  me  protestingly,  as  if 
I  did  you  some  great  wrong!     Cellini's  model! 


134 THE   FLORENTINES 

All  Florence — aye,  and  all  of  Italy — 

(^In  bitter  scorn)  So  to  regard  the  Lady  Leonora, 

Who  was  the  promised  bride  of  Perombino ! 

Lkonora  {indignantly) 
And  this  is  love!     You  came  to  us  a  stranger; 
I  asked  no  proofs  of  what  you  were,  beyond 
The  light  I  thought  I  saw  upon  your  face! 
You  said  :  *  *  Trust  me,  my  lady, ' '  and  I  trusted. 
Love  says:  **  Trust  one  you  love."     How  am  I 

trusted  ? 
Condemned  unheard — upon  what  evidence! 

MarsiIvIO  (^pointing  to  statue) 
Who  would  need  more  than   that?     I   am  not 
blind! 

Leonora  (^scornfully) 
Am  I  unworthy,  then,  because  Cellini 
Has  modeled  my  poor  arm  ?     And  under  what 
Conditions!     You  believe  'twas  vanity, 
I  doubt  not  now,  which  prompted  me.  Leave  me! 
I  never  wish  to  see  your  face  again! 
The  insult  you  have  offered  I  forgive, 
But  one  does  not  forget! 


THE   FLORENTINES  135 

MARSitio  (^softening) 

If  it  had  been 
Only  the  arm !     I  know  he  is  persistent, 
And  thinks  his  fame  rests  on  it!    But  that  statue! 
'Tis  more  than  just  the  arm! 

lyKONORA  (greatly  surprised^ 

And  I,  you  think, 
Posed  for  Andromeda  ?    Why,  now  I  see 
The  reason  for  your  madness.    How  could  you 
Think  such  a  thought  of  one  you  claimed  to  love! 

MARS11.10 
I  would  you  had  more  just  cause  for  resentment. 
Oh,  Lady  Leonora,  every  word 
That  I  have  spoken  has  more  tortured  me 
To  speak  than  you  to  hear,  yet  they  are  said, 
And  they  were  truthful  words.     There  is   the 

proof  ! 
You  were  the  model  for  that  statue  !     You  ! 
I  thought  your  soul  and  form  alike  were  perfedl ! 
(^Passionately^  There  is  the  perfeA  form  !     Aye, 

that  is  faultless  ! 
The  soul!     God's  pity  on  the  soul — not  man's! 
For  men  do  not  forgive! 


136 THE   FI^ORENTINES 

LEONORA  (indignantly) 

You  still  believe 
That  I  posed  for  Cellini  ? 

Marsilio 

'Tis  your  form  ! 
Its  lines  are  printed  on  my  memory — 

\She  shrinks  back,  confused. 
I  cannot  be  deceived  ! 

Leonora 

Silence!     The  Duke! 
{Enter  Duke  Cosimo  and  Riccio,  u.  r.  K. 
Duke  {cordially,  taking  and  holding  Marsii,io*S 

hand) 
You  have  succeeded,  Piince  of  Perombino  ! 
'Tis  a  good  seaport  town  you  hold.     Its  strength 
Will  count  in  our  alliance.     We  are  friends  ! 
Tell  me,  was  there  not  something — ah,  a  jewel! — 
You  much  admired  that  I  promised  you. 
Well,  Leonora  !     You  showed  him  that  gem! 

Leonora 
Uncle! 

Duke  {suddenly  seeing  Andromeda) 
What's  this  ?     That  brilliant  knave,  Cellini! 


THE  FLORENTINES 137 

Yet  he  must  hang  unless  that  ring's  produced! 

lyKONORA 

I  shall  bring  you,  my  lord,  your  gem  colledlion. 
{Exit  Lkonora.     Enter  Bandinki<i.o. 

BANDiNKiyiyO  {sinking  on  his  knee  and  kissing  the 

DuKK'S  hand^ 
My  honored  master!     My  most  generous  patron! 
The  heart  of  Bandinello  thrills  with  joy 
To  learn  you  have  recovered  health! 

DuKK 

That  marble! 

[Bandinki*i*o  hastily  rises. 

'Tis  in  your  mind,  I  doubt  not. 

BANDINK1.1.0 

Nay,  my  lord, 
There  have  I  vision  of  a  rare  creation 
Which  in  Carrara  marble  will  delight 
Your  Excellency !     May  I  have  the  block  ? 

[CKiyi^iNi    enters   quietly ,    remaining  un- 
noticed, 

I  meant  it  for  that  rascal,  Benvenuto. 


138 THE   FLORENTINES 

Riccio  {not perceiving  Cki.i*ini) 
If  he  is  hanged  because  he  stole  your  ring, 
How  can  he  use  the  marble,  noble  Duke  ? 

DuKK 
True,  true!     Ha!  in  my  illness  I  forgot 
To  count  time  closely  on  him.     Have  him  sum- 
moned! 

CEiyi^lNl  {bowing  profoundly') 
My  lord,  I  am  rejoiced  at  your  recovery. 

Duke  {stiffly) 
You  might  have  more  occasion  to  rejoice 
Had  I  my  ring  recovered!     I  gave  you 
More  than  sufficient  time  to  find  it.     Now 
Patience  is  at  an  end.     The  ring,  Cellini! 

[FbdERIGA  enters  quietly ,  and,  startled  to  see 
others  present,  hides  behind  the  screen, 
CKLI.INI  {indignantly) 
That  ring  was  stolen  from  me,  Duke  of  Florence! 
By  whom,  I   do   not  know.      I    have  learned 

nothing. 

Riccio 

Come,  man,  confess!     Rings  do  not  walk  away. 

Despising  well-locked  doors  like  yours,  Cellini. 


THE   FI.ORENTINES  139 

BANDINKIvI<0 

Should  he  confess,  illustrious  Duke,  then  I, 
At  whom  he  has  so  often  cast  vile  insults, 
Will  ask  for  mercy  for  him.     Why  ?     Because, 
Altho'  his  work  is  bad  beyond  redemption, 
Cellini  did  aspire  to  be  a  sculptor. 

CKLiyiNi  (^controlling  himself^ 
My  lord,  to  die  is  nothing.     I  have  faced 
Death  in  a  hundred  forms  and  laughed  at  him. 
But  to  stand  here  and  let  that  hypocrite, 

{Pointing  to  BandinkIvLO. 
That  maker  of  bad  statues,  criticize 
Work  done  with  Heaven's  favor — hear  him  utter 
Sacrilege,  nor  run  my  blade  thro'  him! — 
(^Deferentially^  That  is  the  highest  tribute  I  have 

paid. 
Ever,  to  your  illustrious  presence. 

DUK^ 

Silence! 
It  matters  not  that  you  hate  one  another — 
That  but  proves  both  are  artists.     'Tis  the  ring 
I  want! 


I40  THE    FLORENTINES 

CKi^iyiNi  {earnestly) 

Then  join  me  in  my  prayer  for  inspiration 
Asking  that  it  commence  where  thought  has 

ended, 
For  reasoning  has  led  to  naught. 

RiCCio  {spitefully) 

Mere  words! 

CKLI.INI  {to  Duke) 
In  all  my  life  I  never  was  so  earnest. 
Think  what  this  means  to  me!     My  honor 
Questioned  by  one  as  low  as  Riccio  ? 

Duke 
Unto  our  every  interrogation 
Have  you  replied  it  was  a  robbery; 
But  never  once  has  it  appeared  to  us 
Why  you  have  steadily  maintained  a  silence 
When  the  Bargello  sought  from  you  the  facts 
On  which  to  found  a  full  investigation. 

CEI^IvINI 

Because  the  man  who  would  have  been  suspe<5led 
I  felt  was  innocent — and  now  I  know  it. 


THE   FLORENTINES  141 

DUKK 

Toward   whom,    then,    would    the    fadls    have 
pointed  ? 

CKI.1.INI 
No  one! 

Duke 
We  give  you  every  chance.     Could  there  be  one 
Among  your  household  ? 

Ce;i*i.ini  {half  despairingly) 

I  had  even  sent 
My  model  Federiga  from  my  workshop. 
I  was  asleep.     It  was  some  stranger  entered. 

MARSII.10  {starting  forward) 
Duke  Cosimo! 

Duke 
My  Lord  of  Perombino! 

Marsilio 
Cellini  is  mistaken.     I  was  there. 
I  bear  no  love  to  him  for  best  of  reasons. 
Standing  prepared  to  give  him  satisfadlion, 
I  call  him  traitor,  scoundrel!     I  believe 
That  he  would  steal  a  jewel  from  a  friend — 


142 THE   FLORENTINES 

Marsilio! 

MARSII.IO 

But  not  from  an  employer! 
I  was  not  there  alone!     This  Federiga — 

[Federiga,  badly  frightened^  peeps  from 
behind  the  screen, 

CEI.I.INI 
She  did  not  take  it!     That  fool  girl  loves  me! 

Duke 
Yet  she  may  give  a  clew.     Has  she  been  ques- 
tioned ? 

Cei,i.ini 
My  lord,  it  was  not  she — could  not  have  been. 
Since  I  have  been  here  she  has  called  to  see  me 
A  dozen  times,  weeping  in  her  old  fashion, 
Because  I  told  her  she  was  fit  to  be 
The  model  for  a  man  like  Bandinello. 

[BANDINELI.O  protests, 
I  know  these  women!     They  are  jealous  crea- 
tures! 
Why,  only  yesterday  I  caught  her  seeking 


THE   FLORENTINES  143 

A  chance — I  would  have  killed  her! — to  destroy 
Andromeda!     Or  else  why  was  she  near  it  ? 
'Tis  jealousy! 

Marsii<io  {aside,  fervently) 

I  would  that  she  had  done  it! 

CKlylylNI 

It  was  not  she!     Dismiss  all  thought  of  her. 

DuKK 
You  do  not  help  us.     Who  could  it  have  been  ? 
[Enter  Lkonora  with  casket  of  gems,  u.  r.  k. 

lyKONORA  {to  Duk:^) 
Here  is  your  gem  colledlion. 

Duke    {placing   it  on   a  small    table,    he 
addresses  Marsiwo  significantly) 

Tell  me,  Prince, 
If  it  contains  the  jewel  you  admired. 
'Twere  well  you  take  to  Perombino  something 
By  which  you  may  remember  our  fair  Florence. 
{Enter  Da  Trotti,  u.  r.  b.,  bearing  a  bag 
of  coin, 

Marsilio 
To  let  your  kindness  rob  you  of  one  gem 


144  THE   FLORENTINES 

Were  poor  repayment  of  my  obligation. 

\_The  DuKB  regards  Marsii^io  in  amazement. 

Da  Troi-ti 
Your  Excellency,  for  the  words  I  speak 
I  risk  Cellini's  anger.     I  have  lived 
Not  quite  as  many  years  as  some  may  think, 
But  long  enough  to  study  many  men — 
Not  to  omit  some  women.     I  will  swear 
My  good  friend  Benvenuto  has  no  knowledge 
To  help  locate  the  ring.     Yet  it  is  gone. 
You,  my  lord  Duke,  must  certainly  not  suffer 
The  loss  of  its  true  value.     Benvenuto, 
You  must  not  think  my  act  can  stain  your  honor. 
See!     Here  are  thirty  thousand  ducats — more, 

\Showing  bag  of  money. 
Perhaps,  than  it  is  worth.     I  seek  to  buy 
Your  title  to  the  stone,  your  Excellency, 
And  then  give  Benvenuto  all  the  time 
He  may  require  to  pursue  the  search. 

DuKK  {calculatingly) 
'Twas  worth  full  five  and  thirty  thousand.     Yet 
Because  I  like  your  loyalty  to  friendship 


THE   FI^ORENTINES  145 

I  shall  accept,  provided  that  this  figure 

[Pointing  to  Andromeda, 
Goes  with  the  money. 

Marsiuo  {aside) 

Nay,  a  curse  goes  with  it! 

CEI.1.INI  {proudly) 
It  matters  not  who  owns  it,  so  it  be 
Preserved.     'Tis  yours,  my  lord.     If  I  permit 
Da  Trotti  to  become  my  creditor 
'Tis  with  the  reservation  I  maintain 
The  right  with  any  man  of  any  rank, 
Duke  Cosimo,  in  fair  fight  to  defend 
The  honor  of  Cellini. 

Da  Trotti  {hanging  purse  on  arm  near  covered 
hand) 

Here,  my  lord, 
You  have  your  ring's  equivalent  in  money 
And  a  great  masterpiece!     They  go  together! 

Duke 
Friend  Benvenuto,  draw  aside  the  folds  ! 
Let  me  be  first  to  see  your  splendid  work. 

lyKONORA 

Not  so,  my  lord.     I  have  seen  part  of  it. 


146  THE   FLORENTINES 

MARSII.IO  {puzzled) 
A  part  of  it ! 

Leonora 

The  Duchess  being  with  me, 
As  his  reward  for  services  I  valued 
I  let  him  make  a  copy  of  this  arm. 

Duke 
Your  arm!     Aye,  'tis  a  fair  one. 

\Looking  at  statue. 

What  a  form! 

Is't  possible  this  world  contains  its  like  ? 

What  say  you,  Prince,  to  this  ? 

Marsilio  {sadly) 

I  think  such  beauty 
Were  fit  but  to  embody  the  pure  souls 
That  dwell  in  Paradise — not  those  of  earth. 

Duke  {pointing  to  the  bag  of  money  which  hangs 
so  as  to  hold  wrappings  on  the  hand) 

Such  detail!     See,  this  bag  has  caught  and  holds 
The  wrappings  on  the  hand.     Remove  it. 

\The  missing  ring  is  on  the  finger, 

K\x,  {amazed) 

What ! ! 


THE   FLORENTINES  147 

Cellini  {triumphantly^ 
The  ring  !     How  came  it   here  ?    {Inspiration- 
ally)  A  miracle! 

{Turning  to  Marsilio. 

You  scoffed,  boy,  at  my  aureole — behold 
How  Heaven  still  regards  me  with  its  favor 
In  spite  of  all  my  sins  ! 

RiCCio  {pointing  to  Cellini) 

He  put  it  there! 

Cellini 
You  rascal!     What  a  mind  you  have  to  say  that! 
It  must  have  been  an  angel. placed  it  there! 
{Grandly)  For  this  I  do  forgive  all  who  have 

wronged  me! 
{Reflectively)  Where  did  that  angel  find  it  ? 

[FedERIGA  rushes  from  behind  screen, 
{Astonished)  Federiga! 
Federiga  (on  her  knees) 
Oh,  Benvenuto,  then  you  pardon  me! 

Cellini  {disgustedly) 
You  aided  me — not  something  spiritual! 

Riccio  {nervously^ 
What  matter  so  the  ring  be  found,  my  lord  ? 


148  THE   FLORENTINES 

In  spite  of  all  this  man  has  said  against  me, 
I  beg  this  miserable  business  be 
Forgotten. 

Duke 
So  you  have  a  fondness  for 
This  wretched  girl,  who  has  so  nearly  caused — 
Annoyance — to  my  good  friend  Benvenuto! 

lA  slight  pause, 

Cellini  {theatrically) 
Illustrious  Duke  of  Florence,  would  you  do 
An  a<5t  of  perfecfl  justice  to  a  man 
Who  merits  some  return  for  heavy  suffering! 

Duke 
Yes,  Benvenuto,  you  have  claims  upon  me. 

Cellini  {pointiiig  to  Riccio) 
Here  is  a  man  I  do  not  wholly  like. 
{Lightly)  I  find  his  face  unpleasant.     And  there 

stands 
{Earnestly)  A  girl  whose  a<5lions  have  caused  me 

to  suffer 
As  I  pray  God  I  never  shall  again. 
Now,  Riccio  loves  her.     The  blind  could  see  it. 


THE   FLORENTINES  149 

Both  should  be  punished.    Let  the  two  be  married ! 
[RiCCio   grasps    Fkdkriga's   hand,    a7id 
draws  her,  disgusted,  to  his  side, 

DuKK  {laughing  heartily^ 
Ever  a  jester  !     Have  your  will,  my  friend. 
As  for  yourself — the  model  of  that  statue 
Must  be  the  fairest  woman  in  the  land — 
You  marry  her! 

Cki*i.ini 
What !  marry  my  own  child  ? 

Marsiwo 
Cellini ! 

DUKB 

Benvenuto! 

Cki^UNI 

Four  weeks  old  ! 

Da  Trotti 
Poor  fellow!     He  has  worried  himself  ill. 

CeWtINI  (enthusiastically) 
No!     I  have  vindicated  all  my  boasts! 
I  am  a  genius  !     In  this  brain  of  mine 
There  glows  the  fire  celestial.     To  the  lady 
Whose  beauty,  grace,  and  purity  of  soul 


I50  THE   FIvORENTINES 

Have  stirred  me  to  my  best,  I  owe  the  arm. 
Its  wondrous  symmetry  was  inspiration, 
The  body  in  its  every  measurement 
Is  in  exact  proportion,  and  hence  perfect ! 

Marsiwo 
Perfect!     No  wonder  I  thought  her  the  model ! 
\He  looks  at  lyEONORA,  pleading  forgive- 
ness.    She  fixes  her  gaze    upon  the 
statue, 

DUKS 

You  are  a  marvel ! 

CEI.I.INI 

So  King  Francis  said. 

Duke  {irritated) 
What  does  France  know  of  Art  ?    The  Duke  of 

Florence 
Gives  place  to  none  in  his  appreciation! 

Ckli^ini  {regretfully) 
•  And  yet  that  piece  of  fine  Carrara  marble, 
Out  of  which  I  might  duplicate  this  triumph, 
I  understand  is  given  to  Bandinello. 


THE    FLORENTINES 151 

Duke 
For  one  of  his  monstrosities!     Absurd  ! 

[Cellini  salutes  B andinkllo  profoundly. 
*Tis  yours!     Nor  is  that  all.     While  I  was  ill 
The  Legate  of  the  Pope  departed.     Well, 
If  he  should  come  again  I  have  more  jewels — 
That  figure  now  in  wax  give  me  in  marble. 

[Giving  him  the  ring, 
{Graciously^  When  you  gaze  on  this  ring,  remem- 
ber Cosimo! 

Ckllini 
My  generous  patron!     I  forget  King  Francis! 

DUKK 

And  you,  dear  Prince!     You,  too,  must  have  a 

token 
Of  Cosimo' s  true  friendship. 

{Pointing  to  Lkonora  and  casket. 
Make  selection. 
Marsilio  (^fervently^ 
My  noble  friend  and  ally,  if  I  ask 
The  rarest  gem  in  Florence  as  your  gift, 
May  it  be  granted  the  more  readily 
Because  it  will  be  held  by  one  who  deems  it 
His  to  be  cherished  for  eternity. 


152  THE  FI.ORENTINES 

DuKK  {smiling) 
I  would  be  generous,  but  your  avowal 
That  you  desire  the  choicest  of  all  gems 
Really  compels  some  hesitation.     Tell  me, 
My  I^eonora,  what  would  you  advise  ? 

Marsilio  {approaching  her  beseechingly) 
Dear  lady,  if  you  know  how  greatly  I 
Aspire  to  be  held  worthy  of  such  a  gift, 
How  deeply  I  regret  what  I  have  done 
To  make  me  less  deserving  of  it,  you 
Would,  in  a  spirit  of  forgiveness,  say, 
**  Make  Perombino  its  custodian!'* 

I^KONORA  (archly^ 
Good  uncle,  I  ask  you,  to  whose  nice  judgment 
All  Italy  defers,  to  give  advice. 
Tell  me  how  I  should  counsel  you  to  answer 
Marsilio*  s  request  ? 

DuKK  (laughing) 

Why,  bid  me  grant  it. 

Leonora 
Since  such  is  your  desire,  I  do  so! 

{Puts  her  hand  in  Marsilio*  S. 


THE   FLORENTINES  153 

CKI.1.INI  {cordially^ 

Boy,  in  your  heart  you  always  loved  Cellini! 

Come,  I  forgive  you!     How  could  I  expedl 

That  you  would  guess  the  story  of  my  statue  ? 

{Humorously)  Here  is  a  ring  fit  for  the  Pope 

himself, 

[All  laugh. 

And  here's  a  finger  it  will  grace.     {To  Mar- 

Sii,io)  You  surely 
Do  not  objedt  because  I  note  its  beauty  ? 
Wear  it,  sweet  lady.     Hold  it  as  a  token 
{Gravely)  That  I  have  learned  to  understand  the 

worth 
Of  woman's  grace  and  purity!     Yes,  I! 

DuKB  {laughing) 
Upon  my  faith,  were  I  not  the  most  constant 
Of  husbands  I  would  think  of  beauty  too. 
Come,  Benvenuto,  'tis  a  time  for  marrying! 
Tell  us,  what  are  your  plans  ? 

Cei*i^ini  {throwing  his  arm  around  Andromeda) 

I  am  a  sculptor! 

THK    CURTAIN    FAI,I,S 


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